hi boni - thanks for that. because the large rectngles both looked to be covering the same area, i just couldn't see where the extra unit could possibly come from. anyway, there's a rational explanation for (nearly!) everything

i'm about to turn 33 saxonwhittle - don't know whether to be offended by your comment or patronising about it..?!

i have my moments of wondering 'when did that happen?', but it's really not that scary. if 50s are the new 30s then i'm practically a teenager.

so the grass isn't always greener on the other side...

in a conversation with an old friend of mine who successfully stayed in academia, he tried to also tell me that the perceived value of a phd doesn't match the reality. although it has all worked splendidly for him (and he's brilliant so he deserves it), many of our friends took their skills into the private sector - even those that initially did get research posts. i'm letting the winds blow me around at the moment - we'll see what happens... but i think the bubble is about to burst.

Thank-you (mr.)R! can sleep peacefully again - i knew i would find someone to help on here. i'll still need to prove it to myself though, so over to photoshop i go...

R? where R you?

sue, i have NO level of understanding on this one, so just in case R doesn't come back (maybe he/she was bluffing) just get ready to get yourself back on here when the explanation resurfaces!

the thing is - I'VE MADE THE THING! IT'S REAL! but if you remember working out areas and stuff in maths, it just doesn't make sense. how CAN the shape have the same outline but different surface areas just because of how it's arranged. does noone out there do maths for a living?

i'm the type of person that is satisfied when i know. and only then. explain it, and if i understand i will be satisfied.

EXPLAIN IT EXPLAIN IT EXPLAIN IT!

(please)

thankyou for trying to balance the discussion Luigi - can you explain more about how this relative paradise is better than your own beautiful country?

Yes-suree! and here's another one:
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

finally, one i've found that might help us all:
Don't worry about bitin' off more'n you can chew; your mouth is probably a whole lot bigger'n you think

i'll bear that in mind

so! y'all can't do it either!

don't squat with your spurs on...

i'm not thick... but i'm obviously not that bright either - was sent this and can't do it (grrrrr - don't you hate that?)

i even MADE the bloomin' thing and still don't understand. so if you're bored and know the answer, please save my sanity!

have a look:

http://www.unoriginal.co.uk/optical_illusions/illusions5_8.gif

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=N3M9PNUY-gM

makes me want to ride my motorbike...

well put

YEE - HAH!

i don't think an experiment could be designed to prove God. The thing is, i don't think these people are dangerous or harmful (as was claimed on the programme). it's pretty patronising to think that the comfort that grieving relatives can get from visiting a medium, for example, is bad - i'm pretty sure that in most cases, time heals and in others, it's just a way of coping at the time (i bet many are aware on some level that they are suspending disbelief). admittedly, on occassion, some might go on an expensive and lengthy quest. for the rest of us it could be seen as... entertainment?