h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Dmitri.

I'm subbing your "Shot Towers" entry at A87782223.

You say "Europeans had guns. Sensible persons used these guns solely for obtaining food by shooting animals, and for protecting themselves against animals".

You're surely not suggesting that Europeans in Europe used guns only for peaceful purposes? I haven't looked it up, but I'm willing to bet there was some sort of bloody war going on in the 18th Century in Europe. There was always a bloody war going on in Europe. Did you perhaps mean "Europeans in America"?

Well, I was being ironic.

I did say 'sensible people'.

In fact, the Seven Years' War went on, on both continents - in fact, it was a world war - but I don't consider George Washington and the rest of the army to be sensible people.

How about changing it to 'In the beginning - the 18th Century, that is – many people had guns. Sensible persons...etc.'

Would that work for you?

Yes, I think that would be better.

Go for it.

What that entry needs is a snark-alert sticker on it, I'm afraid.

I've no problem with you being snarky about Europeans and their war efforts, but it didn't really fit in with the fact that you are talking about Americans here.

You're right. I wasn't trying to be snarky about Europeans. I was trying to be snarky about guns in general. Thanks for clearing that up.

I've added the following:

"In free fall, all external forces are effectively removed, and surface tension moulds the shot into the shape with the least surface area: a sphere."

after:

"All great inventors start with a discovery. William Watts' discovery was that molten metal would form a perfect sphere if it fell far enough."

Is that OK?

That's great!