No Single Person Alive Knows How to Make a Simple Wooden Pencil

Excellent!

I guess you could say the same about tampons.

Technology today is far too advanced for any one individual to have all the knowledge on any one system. That's why our species specializes and collaborates.

I like the underlying message, as did Milton Friedman, in the introduction.

I still like listening to Friedman's old discussions; a brilliant guy.

Astounding! Thank you, for again, sharing a worthwhile article. Last weeks pictures, of the riveted rail cars (underground), was another joy.. Warmest regards from Omaha, Sir PWSlack -The cool autumn air is nipping at my morning coffee.

How it's made.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwYTibTbYHQ

The American series "How It's Made" had a piece on making pencils some time ago.

Very interesting story, but they didn't go into the detail your offering did.

Thanks.

As a proud Canadian... I gotta claim this as our own...

"How It's Made"... is a Canadian production.

Click Here

So, Canada isn't part of America?

Very good series, none the less.

I'll make the distinction next time, and yes, I did think us Yanks made it.

LOL...

Last I looked, we still were part of North America anyways- maybe you get a 50% for that!

50%??? No way. Weather predictors only get it right 50% of the time.

I want 60% at least!

Lyn, I think you get 100% for being absolutely right about that.

As far as land mass goes, the US is less than 1/2 of North America, so in that sense you only get what...35%?

Shhh!!

I was going to mention that, but then we might get into a population discussion and he'd want 90% instead!!

Canada is North America? Strange, I know it is still part of the British commonwealth. The Queen of Britain is still the figure head of the country. Obama is in another place, across the Fraser river. That is a different country with a different figure head. So why do you refer to Canada as N America? There is a definite border, with border controls and uniformed armed guards.

England is not South Scotland, Norway is not West Sweden. Canada is Canada, America is America. Alaska is N. America. Perhaps one should state; Canada, north of America, Alaska, even more north than Canada but belonging to America. America, south of Canada.

NB. I work in a pencil factory, we all know how a pencil is made, along with eyeliner pencils for women. Every pencil has a point in life!

Canada, North American continent, planet Earth.... (insert postal code).

Political structures and regulatory agencies have nothing to do with locations of geographical entities.

Geography 101: North America is a continent, not a part of a country. Go back to school, or madrasa, etc. Please do this back where you came from.

So then, in a geographical, if not political, sense I am correct, and your 35% is not.

.

No sir you are quite wrong in what you have stated. Geography lesson No 1. USA is a country, Canada is a country, both on a Continent, known as North America. It happens to be connected to another continent known as South America. Both continents are connected by a narrow land strip which makes both continents become known as 'The Americas'. The Americas have various countries on them as defined by borders, different money, languages, traditions, governments etc. If this was not so, I should not require my passport to travel from Canada to the USA, as it is all the same continent, but a different country.

Kenya is a country on the African continent. France is a country on the European continent. Sydney is a city on a very large continent known as Australia, I don't need passport controls to travel from Sydney to Perth. (On the same continent/country). Scotland, England and Wales are countries on an ISLAND that is not a continent, but is associated to guess where? Oops, CONTINENTAL EUROPE. You are just another country on a continent and a continent with many countries in it.

Perhaps pedantic, but Anonymous is right. Canada is a country, the USA is a country, but I don't think madrasa is even a country, or on a continent. Madrasa: In English, the word normally specifically means any type of religious school or college for the study of the Islamic religion. Madras: is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. India is a continent! And Madras is also referred to as a type of curry flavour. Perhaps Anonymous is better educated than you precieved my good Mr. James Stewart. Lang mae yur lum reek!

Check your own posts: No one, in any post so far except you. Education, turns one's world upside down. Thank you Sweet Pea. I love you too.

OK, after checking the definition of American, I'm wrong and you're right.

I hate it when that happens.

One thing I CAN say regarding this subject, I'm getting a a VERY rounded education!!!!!

India is a Sub-Continent maybe.

How many continents is there and how much would there be if everything you say is right?

Quite correct Mr. IdeaSmith, India is NOT a continent. I apologies and stand corrected.

7 Continents of which India is not one.

Apology accepted and I went humbly back counting myself and found it was 7 alright!

I still believe they should make Greenland a continent or at least UK. Isnt there enough water in the channel?

Not really sufficient water, some belongs to Scotland, some to Norway, France, Belgium, Netherlands and the balance belongs to Thames Water, RWE and many other consortium's. Odd that Greenland is an Island. But I shall pencil this in to discover more.

Fact, continents were decided by the Greeks who did not have pencils, but quill and ink. How old is the pencil idea? Anyone discovered this yet?

I would say that the pencil idea goes back to humans harnessing fire, and writing on walls with charcoal.

...or maybe just using a stick to draw in the dirt.

The Straight Dope: Shouldn't Greenland be known as Iceland and ...

So, Indians are definitely not incontinent ?

Ever been to Bombay, (Mumby), railway station? And you are correct, they are not 'incontinent' However, back to this pencil. I think the "No single person alive...." is wrongly phrased, as it is clear many people know how to make a pencil, as many pencils are being sold in art shops and stationery shops. So someone and others know how to make pencils. The pencil is not yet extinct!

The biggest trick is shoving the lead all the way through that tiny hole without breaking.

That's what graphite lube is for, doofus.

You can take a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead.

It's no good you talking the price up, 5 cents for the pencil and that's it! :-)

jt.

A simple lad was asked why, when offered the choice of accepting either
a dime or a dollar, he always chose the dime? (amid, much laughter.)

He said. The first time I accept the dollar they will stop offering them to me.

If one took the combined intelligence of all the politicians and combined intelligence of all the anonymous posters in the USA and added them together, we'd get 10%.

But if they did not exist for you, you would not have used your pencil to complete the calculation to derive the figure of 10%. All three of us appreciate your calculation. Stay sharp, like a pencil.

I've resigned myself to politicians, and AP's.

At least the ones with a sense of humor.

Let's all take a step back. I get lambasted for correcting some odd remarks about what continent is what, and what country is what, and no one in the whole scheme of things has marked anyone off-topic. We all deserve a 3 + off topic rating on this one.

OK,

I gave myself 5 demerits.

James, Lyn. No lambasting given, Lyn, no animosity. Just plain old education, banter and an exchange of information with people on other continents, in other countries. I learn things here too, we all do. That is what it is all about, communications, learn something, a few laughs and some other comments to consider.

Gents, have a great day. Perhaps in consideration, there is no point to a broken pencil!

Looks like your statement is somewhat true. Look what just happened in America. Perhaps you overestimated the intelligence of the politicians.