Science-y License Plates

December 9, 2008 4:04 PM

Symmetry, (previously) a magazine on particle physics, recently put out a list of particle-physics related license plates. Of course there are other lists of geeky plates. Some even appear to be MeFi related. You could always just AskMefi to come up with your own geeky plate. But some tags, geeky and otherwise, aren't allowed (previously 1 2).
posted by nat (12 comments total)

That's how we know we're superior.
posted by Balisong at 4:27 PM on December 9, 2008

The most awesome thing about Symmetry (beside it being awesome) is that it's also FREE.

Email Barbara (mailto: link) and supply your mailing address and you're hooked up to the paper edition. At least that's how I think it goes -- back in the day I remember there being a form.

Maybe they just want to add a hurdle for the "omg free let's subscribe to everything" folk. In any case, they're totally legit. I believe they're sponsored by the US Dept. of Energy and CERN or something along those lines.

Seriously, I have zero professional and only the most passing personal interest in particle physics, and getting the mag in the mail like this really boosts my enthusiasm and understanding. I especially like the "explain it in 30 seconds" segment.

(And right now BBC Radio 2 plays "Perfect Symmetry" by Keane.)
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 4:53 PM on December 9, 2008

I'd almost forget: cool post, nat.
posted by goodnewsfortheinsane at 4:54 PM on December 9, 2008

Wait, FREE? Free SCIENCE?

I'm so there.
posted by DU at 4:56 PM on December 9, 2008

Free physics magazine—how rad!

I've thought of getting a plate reading F80000. Maybe even XF80000.
posted by Korou at 5:44 PM on December 9, 2008

When I found out New Hampshire had seven-character vanity plates for $25, I seriously thought about getting WTFMATT.
posted by joannemerriam at 7:16 PM on December 9, 2008 [1 favorite]

My favorite geek vanity plate: A beat-up van with a Half-Life sticker in the window and the plate "PREPWND".

We have a Toyota Matrix, and I really tried to convince Ms. Steady to let me get "MRFEUS" or "3NITY". "NEO" was taken.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:40 PM on December 9, 2008

the cutest one is the "FFFFFF" in the second link. d'aw.
posted by aliceinreality at 7:44 PM on December 9, 2008

If I could get a vanity plate that had the same structure as the randomly assigned ones here in Wisconsin, I would get MPU-401.
posted by Jpfed at 7:52 PM on December 9, 2008

Don't forget the Nevada Test Site commemorative plates. I considered getting one, but figured all the good ones like U238 must be taken.
posted by falconred at 11:03 PM on December 9, 2008

The Computer Geek page is missing the plate I saw in Ithaca, NY: ISPNP. I've also seen E2THEIPI.

God, I love NY's 8 character limit for plates. MA has sucky policies for vanity plates. You have to pay an annual premium on your registration for the plate, and once you use a numeral, you can't use any more letters.
posted by Eideteker at 7:08 AM on December 10, 2008

Jessamyn's license plate.
posted by not_on_display at 5:08 AM on December 19, 2008