Lines from Chemistry

[robinturner]

For some reason, I've been thinking about my old chemistry teacher, Mr Nicholls, and the things he used to say. Here are some lines I remember.

"Now I'm going to tell you a lie, and you will remember it all the better because it is a lie. I'm going to tell you that atoms have little hooks on them."

"Every time I hit you on the head with this ruler, a brain cell dies. I know that because Mr Harris [the biology teacher] tells me every time he hits me on the head with a ruler."

"What was it they call it when they burn a widow on her husband's funeral pyre?"
"Suttee, sir."
"Ah yes, I suppose it would be."

"A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. As you will find out if you ever acquire a little knowledge."


I'm sure this man influenced my teaching style.

Comments

[hfx-ben.livejournal.com]

Twain + Orwell + Hemingway + the American guy who moved to have Alaska adopted as a state ... you know, whassisname.

heh ... little hooks ... yaaa, valence is like that ... heh

<=== mocks those who act as though "chakras" exist

read Martin?

[(Anonymous)]

off topic----Have you read any of George R.R. Martin’s work? Would value your opinion, if you have.

Re: read Martin?

[solri.livejournal.com]

I've read A Game of Thrones, which I enjoyed greatly.

[solri.livejournal.com]

It does sound rather Twainish, but I couldn't find it on Google. However, I did find the following nice ones:

"If a little knowledge is dangerous, where is the man who has so much as to be out of danger?" - Thomas Huxley

"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. So is a lot." - Albert Einstein

"They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance." - Terry Pratchett

Re: read Martin?

[vret.livejournal.com]

His SF is wonderful, but I've never felt inclined to try his fantasy stuff, for some reason. Did you ever read The Dying of the Light? The title of Worlorn (from The Five Tones) came from it.