Metropol

How can you rest when you're standing up?

Here's another *FASCINATING FACT*: If you've got 2 objects a distance apart, it's possible to increase the distance between them without moving them because space-time and gravity are all tied up together. If something massive enough moves enough, it sends ripples in space-time through the universe, which in turn changes the distance between your objects.

Dammit, if I wanted facts I'd ask for them (informative though they are). I want discussion on deep subjects which make my brain melt a little so make with the talky!

OK, well how about this.

Every now and then the earth's magnetic fields reverse, so the north pole becomes magnetic south and vice versa. It may be in the process of happening now, though it takes a few thousand years to complete.

On the other hand it may just be having a think about it before changing it's mind and deciding it doesn't want to flip. This is, wonderfully, called an "excursion".

Its been 800,000 years or so since the last reversal though they aren't periodic and at other times may have happened 4 or 5 times per million years.

While in the process of reversal, there can be more than one north or south pole at a time. Which must confuse iron filings no end.

EDIT: The bits above come from the British Geological Survey but other sites claim there may have been a reversal 12,400 years ago, which is somewhat more recent than 800,000. So it's somewhere between 12,000 and 800,000.

Geologist.

I keep my iron filings in order by using my iron filing cabinet.

Puns? This is what it has come to... The keyword is discussion and even though you and Mark are the only science nerds here you could still have a nice debate all Mr. Q style.

Well i DID dispense some of my pearls of wisdom but they didn't get much of a response!

Science. Blah. Didn't God create everything anyway?

Oi, don't blame everyone else, he started it. That could apply to both of you.

FASCINATING FACT #3: Iron, along with most other elements, comes from exploding stars

You seem to be missing my point.