Comments on: How to walk on ice http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 21 May 2013 13:21:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: dnebdal http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1655610 dnebdal Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1655610 Running on ice really is a good solution - I'm not sure exactly why, but it's way more stable than walking normally. Of course, it also makes it more exciting if you still lose control. Running on ice really is a good solution – I’m not sure exactly why, but it’s way more stable than walking normally. Of course, it also makes it more exciting if you still lose control.

]]> By: dnebdal http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1655608 dnebdal Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:12:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1655608  Exactly that. Putting the heel down first makes you much more likely to skid and fall. :)  Exactly that. Putting the heel down first makes you much more likely to skid and fall. :)

]]> By: pjcamp http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1655441 pjcamp Thu, 14 Feb 2013 05:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1655441  When I was a graduate student at the University of Michigan, they cleared snow from the parking lot at my dorm and piled a large fraction of it in a seven foot high hill behind my car. It was a while before I could figure out where to get a shovel to dig out, and I went out once a week to run the motor for a while and keep the battery up.  When I finally dug out, the snow at the bottom of the pile had compacted into a sheet of ice about two inches thick and I had to wait until neighboring cars had left so I could go slippy sliding out of the parking space. But they kept all the sidewalks peachy clean using tractors with rotating brushes on the front.  When I was a graduate student at the University of Michigan, they cleared snow from the parking lot at my dorm and piled a large fraction of it in a seven foot high hill behind my car. It was a while before I could figure out where to get a shovel to dig out, and I went out once a week to run the motor for a while and keep the battery up.  When I finally dug out, the snow at the bottom of the pile had compacted into a sheet of ice about two inches thick and I had to wait until neighboring cars had left so I could go slippy sliding out of the parking space.

But they kept all the sidewalks peachy clean using tractors with rotating brushes on the front.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1654987 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1654987 My experience is that the city pushed snow out of the road and onto the sidewalk. My experience is that the city pushed snow out of the road and onto the sidewalk.

]]> By: Nadreck http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1654600 Nadreck Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1654600 Thus creating a second path, with the same problems, beside the first.  Also generally the path is where it is because there's 4 foot high drifts on either side of it. Thus creating a second path, with the same problems, beside the first.  Also generally the path is where it is because there’s 4 foot high drifts on either side of it.

]]> By: Jen Onymous http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1654489 Jen Onymous Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1654489  Agreed---with a sort of side to side penguiny thing going on.  I went to school in upstate NY  and a lot of the walkways iced over FAST and there was too much hardpack snow to walk on that instead.  You learn fast.  Agreed—with a sort of side to side penguiny thing going on.  I went to school in upstate NY  and a lot of the walkways iced over FAST and there was too much hardpack snow to walk on that instead.  You learn fast.

]]> By: pjcamp http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1654388 pjcamp Wed, 13 Feb 2013 14:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1654388  No, the other one the city cleans.  No, the other one the city cleans.

]]> By: tubacat http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1654232 tubacat Wed, 13 Feb 2013 09:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1654232  ...the damn sidewalk that's covered with ice?  …the damn sidewalk that’s covered with ice?

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1654161 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 13 Feb 2013 05:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1654161 You and the crowd in the ER waiting room. You and the crowd in the ER waiting room.

]]> By: SomeGuyNamedMark http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1654155 SomeGuyNamedMark Wed, 13 Feb 2013 05:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1654155  That made me cringe  That made me cringe

]]> By: winkybb http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1654131 winkybb Wed, 13 Feb 2013 04:17:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1654131 The strange thing about snowfall in Vancouver is that when it happens, I personally meet every single person in the whole city that knows how to drive in snow. Apparently, every person that I don't meet that day cannot drive in snow, and are therefore the cause of all the traffic problems.  I have NEVER personally met anyone who does not know how to drive in snow, yet 99.9999% of the population apparently do not. Some coincidence, eh? The strange thing about snowfall in Vancouver is that when it happens, I personally meet every single person in the whole city that knows how to drive in snow. Apparently, every person that I don’t meet that day cannot drive in snow, and are therefore the cause of all the traffic problems. 

I have NEVER personally met anyone who does not know how to drive in snow, yet 99.9999% of the population apparently do not. Some coincidence, eh?

]]> By: Dale Jack http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1654118 Dale Jack Wed, 13 Feb 2013 04:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1654118 Canadian too... and this time of year when things are thawing and freezing is worst for that ice. Actually the side-kick pic reminded me of a move that is way more valuable than the penguin thing. Once you feel your feet going out from under you jump as high as you can and try your best to land hard and solid. I used it quite successfully this evening, as a matter of fact. Canadian too… and this time of year when things are thawing and freezing is worst for that ice. Actually the side-kick pic reminded me of a move that is way more valuable than the penguin thing. Once you feel your feet going out from under you jump as high as you can and try your best to land hard and solid. I used it quite successfully this evening, as a matter of fact.

]]> By: pjcamp http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1654071 pjcamp Wed, 13 Feb 2013 02:50:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1654071 Wrong way: walk on the ice. Right Way: walk on the damn sidewalk. Wrong way: walk on the ice.
Right Way: walk on the damn sidewalk.

]]> By: copperwatt http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1654046 copperwatt Wed, 13 Feb 2013 02:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1654046 So much win!!! So much win!!!

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1653968 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1653968 If I could have stopped quaking and gibbering in horror. If I could have stopped quaking and gibbering in horror.

]]> By: novium http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1653950 novium Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1653950 I saw some snowboard kids doing that at a ski resort a couple of times. It was as adorable as it was foolhardy. I saw some snowboard kids doing that at a ski resort a couple of times. It was as adorable as it was foolhardy.

]]> By: novium http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1653945 novium Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1653945 I can say with certainty that this is not true. When I first met my friend's now-husband, it was when she brought him up to my place in Tahoe. He spent the entire weekend falling on his behind, hard, no matter how many times we'd tell him to keep his weight very centered and on his whole foot and take small, flat steps. He just kept going for these big heel-first strides. WHAM. He was not a happy camper. I can say with certainty that this is not true. When I first met my friend’s now-husband, it was when she brought him up to my place in Tahoe. He spent the entire weekend falling on his behind, hard, no matter how many times we’d tell him to keep his weight very centered and on his whole foot and take small, flat steps. He just kept going for these big heel-first strides. WHAM. He was not a happy camper.

]]> By: novium http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1653937 novium Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1653937  As another former Tahoe resident, I can attest to that. I always thought all the ski-balance skills came in handy on my daily walk down the steep path to my house. Weight very centered, ever so slightly forward, and not fighting the sliding, just going with it. It was actually a little fun.  As another former Tahoe resident, I can attest to that. I always thought all the ski-balance skills came in handy on my daily walk down the steep path to my house. Weight very centered, ever so slightly forward, and not fighting the sliding, just going with it. It was actually a little fun.

]]> By: Snig http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1653896 Snig Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1653896 Ow.  Though if it healed that way, you might have had extra stability on ice.   Ow.  Though if it healed that way, you might have had extra stability on ice.  

]]> By: rocketpjs http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1653881 rocketpjs Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1653881  Anyone who grew up in snowy places knows this stuff cold.  Driving in snow is another aspect that is not actually hard, but seems to utterly baffle and horrify the drivers here in Vancouver the 2-4 days/year we get snow.  The whole city grinds to a halt after a 1 cm snowfall.  Anyone who grew up in snowy places knows this stuff cold. 

Driving in snow is another aspect that is not actually hard, but seems to utterly baffle and horrify the drivers here in Vancouver the 2-4 days/year we get snow.  The whole city grinds to a halt after a 1 cm snowfall.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1653878 Antinous / Moderator Tue, 12 Feb 2013 23:58:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1653878 Mine was at a 90° angle to the rest of my foot. Good times. Mine was at a 90° angle to the rest of my foot. Good times.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1653843 Antinous / Moderator Tue, 12 Feb 2013 23:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1653843 <blockquote>I would have thought that this is something everybody figures out about 2 minutes after stepping on ice for the first time.</blockquote>you've failed to allow for the cognitive effects of the concussion.

I would have thought that this is something everybody figures out about 2 minutes after stepping on ice for the first time.

you’ve failed to allow for the cognitive effects of the concussion.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1653832 Antinous / Moderator Tue, 12 Feb 2013 23:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1653832 <blockquote>Things that are sliding tend to continue sliding until they lose momentum</blockquote>Yeah, you want only vertical motion when you're on a slick surface.

Things that are sliding tend to continue sliding until they lose momentum

Yeah, you want only vertical motion when you’re on a slick surface.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1653828 Antinous / Moderator Tue, 12 Feb 2013 23:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1653828 You walk with your feet in the toe-break posture and pseudo-skate on ice? Can't you just get a Vicodin prescription without wasting the ER's time? You walk with your feet in the toe-break posture and pseudo-skate on ice? Can’t you just get a Vicodin prescription without wasting the ER’s time?

]]> By: sirgoofs http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1653789 sirgoofs Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1653789 Duh. Duh.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1653769 Antinous / Moderator Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1653769 I grew up putting my whole foot down flat. There's no momentum to start skidding. I grew up putting my whole foot down flat. There’s no momentum to start skidding.

]]> By: caddywumpus http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1653714 caddywumpus Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1653714 Was more a reference to the penguin thing, but I'll take the ice cred! Was more a reference to the penguin thing, but I’ll take the ice cred!

]]> By: Snig http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1653702 Snig Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1653702 Breaking the little toe while walking into furniture is classic, it's called a "bedroom fracture".  Breaking the little toe while walking into furniture is classic, it’s called a “bedroom fracture”. 

]]> By: Fef http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1653666 Fef Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1653666 Does twirling the cane at the hip stabilize you? Does twirling the cane at the hip stabilize you?

]]> By: chgoliz http://boingboing.net/2013/02/12/how-to-walk-on-ice.html#comment-1653597 chgoliz Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=212472#comment-1653597 The way we do it: when there's ice on the path, we walk in the snow on the side of the path instead. The way we do it: when there’s ice on the path, we walk in the snow on the side of the path instead.

]]>