Tuesday, December 22, 2015

I'm # 56!





Discover magazine's Year in Science issue has hit the newsstands and I'm in it. Of the Top 100 stories of 2015, I'm number 56!

Well, not me, per se (although my ability to survive into another year is rather amazing, given my habits.) What I mean is that my story, about the supervolcano under Yellowstone, has been ranked at number 56 of the Top 100.

Did you know there was a supervolcano underneath Yellowstone? It's true! You could be blown to fiery little bits any moment now if you live within, say, a thousand miles of it. You needn't worry, though, because if it does blow then life in North America will be about as much fun as a year-round colonoscopy, so why would you want to survive?

OK, I'm not being very scientific and Discover is a science magazine. In reality...

Oh, wait, if I tell you that, then you'll have no reason to buy the magazine. And that's why they pay me to write; they hope you'll be willing to plunk down a few shekels in order to read me. If I give you the whole story here, that would defeat the purpose. Sorry!

If you want to remain utterly ignorant, don't buy Discover. If, however, you'd like to learn something, here's their website and a link to my story (and why wouldn't you go there when YOUR VERY LIFE MAY HANG IN THE BALANCE!!!!)

Merry Christmas!

Soon, with more better stuff.


14 comments:

Absolut Ruiness said...

You've had a good year! Hope you have many many more. Good wishes on the way for you and your loved ones.

Suldog said...

Thank you! And the same to you!

(not necessarily your) Uncle Skip said...

IIRC, it isn't the colonoscopy that's so bad.
It's the prep.
Of course, I'm within that 1000 miles, so how relevant that is may be moot.

Suldog said...

I'm never in the moot for a colonoscopy.

No idea what that means, but it seems somewhat like a pun so I went for it.

joeh said...

Oh great, one more thing to worry the crap out of me!

Jackie said...

I've always enjoyed "Discover."
I'm proud that your article is in the top 100.

Suldog said...

Joe - You mean I should be charging you for my service as an enema provider?

Jackie - Thank you. No charge! :-)

Craig said...

Wow, Jim, that is really cool! Congratulations!

I'm pretty sure I'm outside the 1000 miles, but we could maybe see the crater from here. . . ;)

Suldog said...

Actually, if it blows, just about the entire continent will be covered with ash and it's likely all grids would be knocked out. Good times!

messymimi said...

Well, you are #1 in my book, as far as articles like these go. Happy Christmas!

Suldog said...

Thank you! Happy Christmas to you, too!

Shammickite said...

no time to read this right now, 4 yr old twins are on their way to my house to bake cookies.... aaarrrgghh! Will read it later OK. Meanwhile Happy Christmas to you and YOUR WIFE and any other hangers on and all the best for blogging and writing articles that get accepted in 2016!

Maggie May said...

Not worrying too much about the super volcano! Thanks all the same!

Happy Christmas.
Maggie x

Unknown said...

Hmm, odds of a major eruption are 1 in 700,000 in any given year.
The odds in Powerball are 1 in 293,000,000 - and people actually win Powerball every once in awhile.
Think about it.... ;-)

Congrats in making the top 100!