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Re: In the Mesozoic, no one can hear you scream.

This brings up an interesting plot-point for all time-travel stories.

You and a friend are hiding in the bushes from a prowling T-Rex. So long as your voices are squeaky enough, you can coordinate your escape plans as much as you like. Hiding without needing to be silent would certainly be a novel experience.

OTOH, given the T Rex's supposed sense of smell, hiding wouldn't be very useful in the first place.

Eric
______________________________________________________________________
"There is no other wisdom,
And no other hope for us
But that we grow wise. -- Diane Duane
______________________________________________________________________




From: Jeff Hecht <jeff@jeffhecht.com>
Reply-To: jeff@jeffhecht.com
To: bigelowp@juno.com, dinosaur@usc.edu
Subject: Re: In the Mesozoic, no one can hear you scream.
Date: Thu, 05 Jan 2006 17:23:12 -0500

The statement on T rex hearing is based on the average human scream of panic is at 3000 hertz, above extrapolated hearing range of T rex. You hollered in a DEEP LOUD VOICE, T rex might just hear you and decide you might be tasty.

At 1:58 PM -0800 1/5/06, Phil Bigelow wrote:
>> T. REX WOULD NOT HAVE HEARD HUMAN SCREAMS
>> http://www.newscientist.com/channel/life/dinosaurs/mg18925334.600
>
>
>This means that even the booming bloodcurdling screams of baritone-voiced
>actor and comic genius Brad Garrett would go unnoticed by the chomping T.
>rex.
>
>(I've always said that if you're going to travel back in time then you
>might as well take along a stand-up comic.  A Mr. Microphone(tm) is also
>required for time traveling comics).
>
><pb>
>--
>"Am I crazy, Jerry?  Am I?  Or, I am SO sane that you just blew your
>mind?!" - Kramer

--
Jeff Hecht, science & technology writer
jeff@jeffhecht.com  http://www.jhecht.net
Boston Correspondent: New Scientist magazine
Contributing Editor: Laser Focus World
525 Auburn St., Auburndale, MA 02466 USA
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