Definitely geologically. It's mostly a trick question because there are many varying opinions and evidence out there. Generally, however, one of them runs through parts of North Carolina, and some even try to argue another that runs through North Carolina as well, but I haven't been as convinced on that one.

Originally Posted by: DoddPower 

Interesting. Why are those considered so old?

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker 

Re: importance of rivers:

I can probably name about 20-25 of the Asian rivers without much trouble, but given that I teach a course that currently emphasizes the economic history of the "Indian Ocean Economy", I should know at least that many.

The reason they are important? The ability to produce and trade is very much a function of navigable water. The more miles one has the ability to move a boat up or a barge down, the more you can bring resources together to produce more valuable goods and the more goods you can sell profitably to buyers.

32 rivers at least 1000 miles long means a lot of cheaper production and trade.

Of course what I didn't ask, because I just realized I don't know the answer myself and I should, is how many of the miles of those 32 rivers are navigable. Damn. Another task to complete before term starts.


Oh, yes, re: fast food: If you think about it, the ability of McDonalds, et al to maintain a consistent quality across billions of burgers/fries is pretty darn amazing. IMO.

IMO, the McDonalds fry, when hot (not always, alas) and perfectly salted (virtually always) is one of the great comfort foods of all time, right up there with macaroni and cheese and KFC buckets of chicken.

I also like the new bacon habanero ranch quarter pounder and the McChicken, which IMO beats the crap out of all chicken breast sandwiches sold at fast food restaurants not called Chick-Fil-A. Which last we can't get in Iowa and it really POs me.

Originally Posted by: Wade 

Re: importance of rivers:

I can probably name about 20-25 of the Asian rivers without much trouble, but given that I teach a course that currently emphasizes the economic history of the "Indian Ocean Economy", I should know at least that many.

The reason they are important? The ability to produce and trade is very much a function of navigable water. The more miles one has the ability to move a boat up or a barge down, the more you can bring resources together to produce more valuable goods and the more goods you can sell profitably to buyers.

32 rivers at least 1000 miles long means a lot of cheaper production and trade.

Of course what I didn't ask, because I just realized I don't know the answer myself and I should, is how many of the miles of those 32 rivers are navigable. Damn. Another task to complete before term starts.


Oh, yes, re: fast food: If you think about it, the ability of McDonalds, et al to maintain a consistent quality across billions of burgers/fries is pretty darn amazing. IMO.

IMO, the McDonalds fry, when hot (not always, alas) and perfectly salted (virtually always) is one of the great comfort foods of all time, right up there with macaroni and cheese and KFC buckets of chicken.

I also like the new bacon habanero ranch quarter pounder and the McChicken, which IMO beats the crap out of all chicken breast sandwiches sold at fast food restaurants not called Chick-Fil-A. Which last we can't get in Iowa and it really POs me.

Originally Posted by: Wade 

Tell this to any mother and they'll throw a right fit.

The sugar buzz is nothing more than a fable. The mental part, where the parents tell the children that they'll get too zappy if they'll drink too much coke, makes for them fulfilling that role. The sugar itsself has absolutely nothing to do with it. Or at least, that's what quite a few studies suggest.

Not really a face you where searching for in true statistics and years, I reckon, but interesting nontheless.

Originally Posted by: Rockmolder