slightly OT: preventing user stupidity

[Brian K. White]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Rasmussen" <ras at anzio.com>
To: "Brian K. White" <brian at aljex.com>
Cc: "filePro mailing list" <filepro-list at seaslug.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 8:49 PM
Subject: Re: slightly OT: preventing user stupidity


> On Wed, 9 Feb 2005, Brian K. White wrote:
>
>> > Then there was also the case of standing up against a wall (facing it),
>> > taking a step back, placing a chair in front of you, lean forward so 
>> > that
>> > your head is touching the wall, and picking up the chair.  Then, try to
>> > stand up straight without moving your feet.  (Most women can do this.
>> > Most men cannot.)
>>
>> I don't get it.
>> I just tried it and it wasn't even a close thing or requiring any special
>> balance or flexability or unconventional use of breasts which I don't 
>> have. I
>> was effortless. It was a dining room table sort of chair with a straight 
>> back
>> and arms. Heavier ang larger than a folding chair, smaller and lighter 
>> than an
>> office rolly desk chair.
>>
>> I'm guessing there is a more specific set of stipulations than described 
>> here
>> that would make it harder?
>
> You should be standing, facing the wall, with your legs straight and your
> torso at 90 degrees, with the top of your head against the wall. The chair
> should be in front of you, between you and the wall. Lift the chair. No
> problem. Now, while holding the chair off the floor, stand up.
>
> The chair should make it impossible for you to bend your knees. Then it
> becomes a center of gravity issue.

Wow. It's impossible.
I was cheating and didn't realise it before. Without moving my feet at all, 
I can use the chair to push off the floor or the wall and stand up easy. If 
I simply hold the chair off the floor and don't use it as a tool against the 
wall or floor, no amount of tip-toe-ankle pushing has the slightest effect.
I have a skinny little nothing where a lot of rump needs to be.

Brian K. White  --  brian at aljex.com  --  http://www.aljex.com/bkw/
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