Comments on: The Funicular….of DOOM! http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/ Random samplings from a universe of ideas. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:48:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Amara http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/comment-page-1/#comment-31740 Amara Fri, 14 Sep 2007 05:12:35 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/#comment-31740 Lab Lemming: that's funny! So then I wonder what is it with the Swiss and mariachi bands...? Here's two snapshots <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spaceviolins/1083682236/in/set-72157601375302333/" rel="nofollow">first</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spaceviolins/1082827129/in/set-72157601375302333/" rel="nofollow"> second</a>, taken while I was walking around Bern (CH) six weeks ago. Lab Lemming: that’s funny! So then I wonder what is it with the Swiss and mariachi bands…? Here’s two snapshots first and second, taken while I was walking around Bern (CH) six weeks ago.

]]> By: Lab Lemming http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/comment-page-1/#comment-31742 Lab Lemming Fri, 14 Sep 2007 02:36:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/#comment-31742 Compare that to Swiss public transportation signs: http://www.zurika.com/2006/02/mariachi-bands-may-or-may-not-be.html Compare that to Swiss public transportation signs:
http://www.zurika.com/2006/02/mariachi-bands-may-or-may-not-be.html

]]> By: Benni http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/comment-page-1/#comment-31741 Benni Wed, 05 Sep 2007 23:04:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/#comment-31741 Yes, it is EU law. But EU law that was made by Germans. I remember that this law was made because then, more cucumbers fit into one box. The law allows to separate cucumbers in classes from which you can estimate how many cucumbers will fit into one box. (no, be sure, frensh or italian farmers would not even think on such a problem). For example: The EU classification system is not enough for the germans. They have additional criteria. so called german "Handelsklassen" which are even more specific. For example, not included in EU law is a german Handelsklasse with a specification about the size of a potatoe. At page 3 you can read even a definition how to MEASURE exactly the size: http://www.ble.de/data/0000368C4F07117E94986521C0A8D816.0.pdf If an oval potatoe it is 29 mm thin, it cannot be sold in germany. If it is exaclty 30mm it can...... Yes, it is EU law. But EU law that was made by Germans. I remember that this law was made because then, more cucumbers fit into one box.

The law allows to separate cucumbers in classes from which you can estimate how many cucumbers will fit into one box. (no, be sure, frensh or italian farmers would not even think on such a problem).

For example: The EU classification system is not enough for the germans. They have additional criteria. so called german “Handelsklassen” which are even more specific.
For example, not included in EU law is a german Handelsklasse with a specification about the size of a potatoe. At page 3 you can read even a definition how to MEASURE exactly the size:

http://www.ble.de/data/0000368C4F07117E94986521C0A8D816.0.pdf
If an oval potatoe it is 29 mm thin, it cannot be sold in germany. If it is exaclty 30mm it can……

]]> By: Amara http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/comment-page-1/#comment-31733 Amara Wed, 05 Sep 2007 05:17:28 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/#comment-31733 Benni - From my agricultural and farmer friends in Germany and Italy, what you describe is not a German facet instead it is the excesses of EU law. It covers the whole spectrum of services and goods that specify how many peas must be in a pod and how long that pod must be, or else it cannot be sold on the EU market. Benni – From my agricultural and farmer friends in Germany and Italy, what you describe is not a German facet instead it is the excesses of EU law. It covers the whole spectrum of services and goods that specify how many peas must be in a pod and how long that pod must be, or else it cannot be sold on the EU market.

]]> By: Benni http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/comment-page-1/#comment-31734 Benni Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:24:50 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/#comment-31734 I think the many warning symbols are typical for germany. It is not, that they are litigious. It is, that they want to be absolutely sure and have a defining rule and a law and order for everything possible. In Germany. for almost everything there exists a corresponding law. Even how a cucumber must be formed exactly before it can be sold in stores is defined by law (a cucumber has to be a fruit of specis cucumis which is approx 30 cm long and has not to deviate more than 3 cm from a straight line, otherwise it cannot be sold in Germany). This is not because someone could go to court but simply to rule the life. I think the many warning symbols are typical for germany.

It is not, that they are litigious.

It is, that they want to be absolutely sure and have a defining rule and a law and order for everything possible.

In Germany. for almost everything there exists a corresponding law. Even how a cucumber must be formed exactly before it can be sold in stores is defined by law (a cucumber has to be a fruit of specis cucumis which is approx 30 cm long and has not to deviate more than 3 cm from a straight line, otherwise it cannot be sold in Germany).

This is not because someone could go to court but simply to rule the life.

]]> By: taylan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/comment-page-1/#comment-31739 taylan Tue, 04 Sep 2007 09:50:26 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/#comment-31739 I think it says dont use this :) I think it says dont use this :)

]]> By: Stefan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/comment-page-1/#comment-31738 Stefan Mon, 03 Sep 2007 03:21:17 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/#comment-31738 <i>I hope this is not a sign of the Germans becoming as litigious as we are in America.</i> Usually you would not find that many warning signs in German public transport facitilities. But of course, Heidelberg is a prime destination in Germany for tourist, especially from Japan and the US, and the Bergbahn is mainly a touristic train. I imagine they do just not want to be sued by tourists for accidents caused by actions that should quite obviously be avoided if you use such a train ;-) I hope this is not a sign of the Germans becoming as litigious as we are in America.

Usually you would not find that many warning signs in German public transport facitilities.

But of course, Heidelberg is a prime destination in Germany for tourist, especially from Japan and the US, and the Bergbahn is mainly a touristic train. I imagine they do just not want to be sued by tourists for accidents caused by actions that should quite obviously be avoided if you use such a train ;-)

]]> By: tacitus http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/comment-page-1/#comment-31737 tacitus Mon, 03 Sep 2007 02:56:12 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/#comment-31737 I hope this is not a sign of the Germans becoming as litigious as we are in America. I hope this is not a sign of the Germans becoming as litigious as we are in America.

]]> By: Jason Dick http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/comment-page-1/#comment-31736 Jason Dick Mon, 03 Sep 2007 02:07:12 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/#comment-31736 This post is more about the silliness of the overdone warning signs than actual danger :) This post is more about the silliness of the overdone warning signs than actual danger :)

]]> By: Neil B. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/comment-page-1/#comment-31732 Neil B. Mon, 03 Sep 2007 00:17:55 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/#comment-31732 I lived near Kaiserslautern back around 1970, and found the public transportation reliable and safe, and fairly cheap IIRC. I suppose it still is. I think the difference is, the Germans are more open, and reference the dangers more. My suspicion is that there infrastructure is in better shape than ours too, since they lack kooky government-starving political movements of any power (?) Maybe we can get "Bee" from Backreaction to comment on this, I just asked her if she was interested. I lived near Kaiserslautern back around 1970, and found the public transportation reliable and safe, and fairly cheap IIRC. I suppose it still is. I think the difference is, the Germans are more open, and reference the dangers more. My suspicion is that there infrastructure is in better shape than ours too, since they lack kooky government-starving political movements of any power (?) Maybe we can get “Bee” from Backreaction to comment on this, I just asked her if she was interested.

]]> By: David Carlton http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/comment-page-1/#comment-31735 David Carlton Sun, 02 Sep 2007 22:38:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/#comment-31735 I like the <a href="http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/top/the-japanese-super-safe-wii-safety-manual-218939.php" rel="nofollow">Japanese Wii manual</a>. I like the Japanese Wii manual.

]]> By: Joerg http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/comment-page-1/#comment-31728 Joerg Sun, 02 Sep 2007 20:54:36 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/#comment-31728 Wow, I lived and studied in Heidelberg for 5 years, and not once used the Bergbahn. But then again, I'm terribly afraid of height, so why would I? Wow, I lived and studied in Heidelberg for 5 years, and not once used the Bergbahn. But then again, I’m terribly afraid of height, so why would I?

]]> By: Amara http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/comment-page-1/#comment-31731 Amara Sun, 02 Sep 2007 19:02:06 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/#comment-31731 ;-) Heh.. no, it's pretty safe. And a lovely way to spend an afternoon, especially to follow with a meal and a beer from the terrace at the restaurant at the top (Konigstuhl) while the sun sets. I hope you did! I'm happy to know that the Heidelberg bergbahn is running again.. It was under renovation for a long while.. through last Spring, and always exactly when I wanted to show visitors the nice view of the city and the Neckar. (I don't live in HD anymore, but I make frequent visits.) If you are interested in another bergbahn view, from a city that reminds me alot of Heidelberg, see these snapshots from Bern, Switzerland, starting from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spaceviolins/1083786288/in/set-72157601375302333/" rel="nofollow">here</a>. ;-) Heh.. no, it’s pretty safe. And a lovely way to spend an afternoon, especially to
follow with a meal and a beer from the terrace at the restaurant at the top (Konigstuhl) while the sun sets. I hope you did! I’m happy to know that the Heidelberg bergbahn is running again.. It was under renovation for a long while.. through last Spring, and always exactly when I wanted to show visitors the nice view of the city and the Neckar. (I don’t live in HD anymore, but I make frequent visits.)

If you are interested in another bergbahn view, from a city that reminds me alot of Heidelberg, see these snapshots from Bern, Switzerland, starting from here.

]]> By: step21 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/comment-page-1/#comment-31730 step21 Sun, 02 Sep 2007 17:34:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/#comment-31730 That's certainly "Tourist Transportation" imho ... Normally they don't have quite that many signs, and prices vary a lot between regions. Although in general special stuff like this train are always more expensive . That’s certainly “Tourist Transportation” imho …
Normally they don’t have quite that many signs, and prices vary a lot between regions. Although in general special stuff like this train are always more expensive .

]]> By: B http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/comment-page-1/#comment-31729 B Sun, 02 Sep 2007 16:33:15 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2007/09/02/the-funicularof-doom/#comment-31729 Public transportation in Germany? <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZvm5H4F-aA" rel="nofollow">See also</a> (That's where I grew up) Public transportation in Germany?

See also

(That’s where I grew up)

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