A uniquely spoonoid lifestyle
May 23, 2010 2:24 PM   Subscribe

The case of the disappearing teaspoons: longitudinal cohort study of the displacement of teaspoons in an Australian research institute "In January 2004 the authors found their tearoom bereft of teaspoons. Although a flunky (MSCL) was rapidly dispatched to purchase a new batch, these replacements in turn disappeared within a few months. Exasperated by our consequent inability to stir in our sugar and to accurately dispense instant coffee, we decided to respond in time honoured epidemiologists' fashion and measure the phenomenon."

The responses are worth reading also. via Crooked Timber.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen (15 comments total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: Alas, these waters have been spooned before. -- cortex



 
Junk science!
posted by R. Mutt at 2:32 PM on May 23, 2010


If this study had been conducted in the USA it would porbably have been read into the Congressional minutes and resulted in another 10% reduction in science funding. The responses listed may have already resulted in hearings, this in spite of the fact that almost everyone here drinks coffee and that those stupid little straw like thingies are ubiquitous.

And while the study shows a clear means of alleviating (though not ending) this disturbing phenomena (giving each section their own dedicated tearoom), this course is not even considered, no doubt indicating the remaining influence of class divisions with in the sciences.

MSCL?? My So Called Life, Mesyl chloride, Malaysian Civil Service Link (from Acronym Finder); Maser of Science candidate allowed in Lab (my guess)?
posted by Some1 at 2:51 PM on May 23, 2010 [2 favorites]


Zaphod Beeblebrox will be involved - he has previous with ball-point pens.
posted by the_very_hungry_caterpillar at 3:00 PM on May 23, 2010


MSCL = Megan S C Lim
posted by GeckoDundee at 3:07 PM on May 23, 2010


Laughing myself silly over this. I, too, have noticed this phenomenon in my own departments over the years. I also believe that the phenomenon of disappearing coffee cups and forks may be related. I wonder if some discrete form of GPS tracking could be rigged inside a hollow plastic handled spoon or fork to observe the dispersion rates of these items over geographical distance.
posted by strixus at 3:15 PM on May 23, 2010 [1 favorite]


GeckoDundee: Oh, duh, didn't look there.
posted by Some1 at 3:16 PM on May 23, 2010


Junk science!

Junk drawer science!
posted by Pope Guilty at 3:24 PM on May 23, 2010 [3 favorites]


I was excited about this until I read "instant coffee".
posted by tommasz at 3:31 PM on May 23, 2010


previously
posted by dhartung at 3:36 PM on May 23, 2010


Aw crap. It didn't show up as a double.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 3:39 PM on May 23, 2010


* Notices the array of 4 teaspoons, 2 forks, 2 bowls, 3 glasses and 2 mugs, on his desk. *

Oh shit.
posted by Jimbob at 3:51 PM on May 23, 2010


I know what happens to them, it isn't that difficult. Every time I find dirty silverware, including spoons, in the sink at work, I throw them away...

It's simple, people, wash your damn dishes!
posted by HuronBob at 3:52 PM on May 23, 2010 [1 favorite]


Sort of like that old joke about US astronauts inventing the pen that would write in zero gravity and the Russians using a pencil, I would have just put the spoon on a chain.
posted by gjc at 3:56 PM on May 23, 2010 [1 favorite]


There is no spoon.


Duh.
posted by Babblesort at 4:00 PM on May 23, 2010


I blame Uri Geller.
posted by Joey Michaels at 4:11 PM on May 23, 2010


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