weight poll - Page 7

TheMercenary · 10-08-2007, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum

Agreed. 40 pounds ... 18kg ... surely not. mediocre "big head" comments aside.

Given that the human body has slightly less density than water, this gives us various ways to approximate the weight of various parts based on their volume.

Easiest is to find a container of water that is about the same size as the body part, in this case, LJ's head. I'm thinking of 4 liter (roughly, gallon) containers as being pretty close to a human head. So we are looking at 4 or 5 kilograms, 10 to 12 pounds.

Also consider that typical human brain capacity is about 1300 to 1400 ccs, 1.3 to 1.4 liters. Roughly triple that (since lots of the head isn't brain) and again we are approaching 4 liters, 4 kilograms, 10 pounds.

If we want to go to greater lengths we could do an Archimedes type measurement. LJ gets into a large bath with just his head above the water, marks water level, submerges head, marks water level, calculates volume displaced, multiply by density of body... but then we have to allow for the hollow places in the head: mouth, sinus, ears etc.

I guess the scales thing would be easier. Please do it LJ, now I am itching to know.

It might be easier to just lay on a table with the head hanging off the side and the neck in a completely relaxed mode and limp. Place an electronic scale under the head and lift it till it is in a completely neutral position in line with the neck. That should give you a fairly close estimate.

Or you could look here:
http://danny.oz.au/anthropology/note...ad-weight.html

And then we have the complete in depth discussion by people who have already started thinking about the issue:

http://ask.metafilter.com/36836/Head-Weight

binky · 10-08-2007, 10:00 AM

I'm in the 50+ lbs overweight club, in spite of eating pretty normally, and walking 2.5 miles a day (to and from work)

monster · 10-08-2007, 10:23 AM

I eat pretty normally too.....

....for an entire freaking football team

ZenGum · 10-08-2007, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

http://ask.metafilter.com/36836/Head-Weight

Great Link Merc.
I had realized that decapitation won't work because the blood loss would reduce the weight.

I think they have the solution:
"I think the solution probably involves being hung by your heels from a spring-scale with your head in a vat of liquefied heads to achieve neutral head buoyancy, and then subtracting the reading on the spring-scale from the known weight of your entire body." (from Dersins, user at the site Merc links to).

Brilliant! And I reckon we can get a grant to do it, and pass it off as performance art!

Although I am still concerned about the empty spaces in your mouth, nostrils, and ears. So you'd have to keep your mouth open in the vat of liquefied heads and let all that gooey goodness flow up your nose and into your ears...

Hope no one's eating as they read this.

LJ, please do the scale thing. I do have a big vat of liquefied heads, but I don't have a spring scale. You're my only hope...

ZenGum · 10-08-2007, 11:28 PM

I just realized decapitation could work, provided you froze the subject to death (while lying down so as a reasonable amount of blood remains in the head) then removed the head and weighed it, including the frozen blood.

Free food for the homeless. Apply here, one at a time...

Aliantha · 10-08-2007, 11:29 PM

OK, I've had my suspicions for a couple of days now, but it's confirmed.

You are a sicko.

lumberjim · 10-08-2007, 11:37 PM

sorry....but the scale i use is at the gym. i'm not trying to lie down on that floor, thankyouverymuch. and not just because people would think i'm a looney.

ZenGum · 10-09-2007, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aliantha

OK, I've had my suspicions for a couple of days now, but it's confirmed.

You are a sicko.

This from someone who wants to eat people.

Last time I give you free advice about English teaching then.

My interest is purely the advancement of human knowledge. And Alien knowledge too I suppose.

All in fun.

monster · 10-09-2007, 08:55 AM

OK, I just added "Weight of a human head" to the list of potential science fair projects for the kids

ZenGum · 10-09-2007, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjim

sorry....but the scale i use is at the gym. i'm not trying to lie down on that floor, thankyouverymuch. and not just because people would think i'm a looney.

Thanks, LJ, you have just made the mental image at least three times funnier.

I can imagine the conversations afterwards:
"So I'd just got out of the shower, right, and I went over to weigh myself, and there's this FREAK, right, laying on the ground with his head on the scales! I mean even without the tinea and stuff, what the hell is he trying to do? Look up my towel? What???"

Ok, LJ, I'll let you off ... but surely, sometime, you will visit a friend who has a set of scales and a digital camera... pleeeeeaaaaaassseeeeeeee?

Of course, if you do dare to do it at the gym ... legend!

ZenGum · 10-09-2007, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

OK, I just added "Weight of a human head" to the list of potential science fair projects for the kids

Ok but for pity's sake don't let them read the techniques discussed here ... kids being kids, you know ...

monster · 10-09-2007, 09:29 AM

Dude, you have me rolling in the aisles. I missed the liquified head post before... I am so letting them read it. What's the betting they suggest suspending the 5yo with his head in a vat of ketchup? I might suggest they add some noodles.

ZenGum · 10-09-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

Dude, you have me rolling in the aisles. I missed the liquified head post before... I am so letting them read it. What's the betting they suggest suspending the 5yo with his head in a vat of ketchup? I might suggest they add some noodles.

Bahahahahahaha!
well, if you're willing to supervise the cleaning up, the medical treatment, the child therapy, the court appearances ... GO FOR IT!!!
but we MUST have pictures!!!

Just a thought: would a person float in ketchup? Project number two...

Cicero · 10-09-2007, 12:13 PM

I would have responded earlier- but there was a small draft and I blew away.
105 lbs. of hotness!!!!!

Well... ok you got me, I'm just 105 lbs.

ZenGum · 10-09-2007, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cicero

I would have responded earlier- but there was a small draft and I blew away.
105 lbs. of hotness!!!!!

Well... ok you got me, I'm just 105 lbs.

Crikey. What happened, some sicko cut off your 40 pound head and drop it into a vat of frozen ketchup and noodles or something?

How tall are you?

damn, I thought I had the lowest BMI in the cellar. You're a serious rival. And ... there can be .... only one...

View Poll Results: are you over or underweight?
WAY overweight....50+ lbs heavier than i should be	16	23.19%
overweight 10-50 lbs heavy	25	36.23%
right on plus or minus 10lbs	21	30.43%
underweight	4	5.80%
scrawny	3	4.35%
Voters: 69. You may not vote on this poll

10-08-2007, 10:00 AM	#92
binky all hollowed out Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ridgecrest, CA Posts: 982	I'm in the 50+ lbs overweight club, in spite of eating pretty normally, and walking 2.5 miles a day (to and from work) __________________ The meanest Mom EVER!!!!

10-08-2007, 10:23 AM	#93
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	I eat pretty normally too..... ....for an entire freaking football team __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-08-2007, 11:29 PM	#96
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	OK, I've had my suspicions for a couple of days now, but it's confirmed. You are a sicko. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

10-08-2007, 11:37 PM	#97
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	sorry....but the scale i use is at the gym. i'm not trying to lie down on that floor, thankyouverymuch. and not just because people would think i'm a looney. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

10-08-2007, 11:28 PM	#95
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	I just realized decapitation could work, provided you froze the subject to death (while lying down so as a reasonable amount of blood remains in the head) then removed the head and weighed it, including the frozen blood. Free food for the homeless. Apply here, one at a time...

10-09-2007, 08:55 AM	#99
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	OK, I just added "Weight of a human head" to the list of potential science fair projects for the kids __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-09-2007, 09:29 AM	#102
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Dude, you have me rolling in the aisles. I missed the liquified head post before... I am so letting them read it. What's the betting they suggest suspending the 5yo with his head in a vat of ketchup? I might suggest they add some noodles. __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-09-2007, 12:13 PM	#104
Cicero Looking forward to open mic night. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 5,148	I would have responded earlier- but there was a small draft and I blew away. 105 lbs. of hotness!!!!! Well... ok you got me, I'm just 105 lbs. __________________ Show me a sane man, and I will cure him for you.- Carl Jung

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