Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 1st September, 2020

1st September, 2020.

Right … 

I’ve officially got another phone meeting, today: with my Shaw Trust case worker.

The people running the Work and Health programme for the Job Centre, in other words.

Given the funding situation?

I think I’m going to want a word … 

~≈®≈~

One thing I do know … ?

Is that — apparently — the NHS have started a programme for those of us with type two diabetes.

It’s a series of soups and shakes designed to help those of us who have it — and who are overweight — lose weight: and hopefully put the condition into remission.

It sound similar to something I tried in my early twenties.

It worked, then.

But I’m very aware that it would be a lot more difficult, now.

I’ve some thirty years worth of bad habits built up, since then.

We’d have to see what happens.

~≈®≈~

Ever heard of Mr Sin … ?

The character was a robot in Dr Who story, The Talons of Weng Chiang: and was a robot … with the brains of a pig.

It turns out science is imitating art, again.

Tesla boss, Elon Musk is developing what he calls his Neuralink: a brain-computer interface.

Personally, I’m thinking he’s been inspired by something similar in the Culture novels of Iain M. Banks.

The reason I mention Mr Sin … ?

Is that it seems Elon’s used a pig: as an experimental subject for one of his Neuralink chips.

Apparently the pig’s called Gertrude.

Rather than Mrs Sin … 

~≈®≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga* and Debbi† putting in their answers: with both scoring ten out of ten.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) The invasion that started World War 2 occurred on 1st September of which year?

Q2) 1st September, 1960, saw the British Government announce that what would be allowed to open in 1961: brothels, betting shops or casinos?

Q3) 1st September, 1939 saw Hitler order the mass extermination of the mentally ill.   And who else: Jewish people, Romani or the disabled?

Q4) Uzbekistan declared itself independent from the USSR: on 1st September, 1991.   What’s the capital of Uzbekistan?

Q5) Finally … ?   1st September, 1896, saw the birth of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.   What was the name of the religious group he founded in 1966?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1) Is 31 odd or even?

A1) Odd.

Q2) Is 31 a prime number?

A2) Yes.

Q3) Name any one of the 31 day months.

A3) January, March, May, July, August, October or December.

Q4) What’s 31 in binary?

A4) 11111₂.

Q5) What’s 31: in Roman numerals?

A5) XXXI: also written as xxxi.

Q6) 31BC saw Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian become Roman consul for the third time.   Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian is better known how?

A6) Roman Emperor, Augustus.   (He died — if I’ve got it right — as Imperator Caesar divi filius Augustus.)

Q7) AD 31 started on which day of the week?

A7) Monday.

Q8) Section 31 is fictional spying organisation: in which science fiction franchise?

A8) Star Trek.

Q9) What was the 31st state to join the USA?

A9) California.

Q10) Finally … ?   Who wrote the novel, 31 Songs?

A10) Nick Hornby.   (It’s also called Songbook)

Here’s a thought …

“If you’re up against a smart opponent, make him think himself to death.”

From Chanur’s Legacy, by CJ Cherryh, born September 1, 1942.

And a song …

Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.

Have a good day.

*        I’m going to have to keep my eyes peeled, I know that, Olga!   Cheers for including the link, by the way: I thought Goldbach’s Conjuncture was the one about maps … but it turns out that’s the four colour problem!   Thank god there’s a Simple English Wikipedia entry for that, I’d never be able to explain it!   (Blogger’s behaving itself, today …)

†        Hmmm … they’d have to be a years apart, Debbi!   Just to tie into the date … !   Oh, did you hear about Elon’s Pig experiment?   I’m going to have to start re-reading Banks … !