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January 26

name of science fiction novel/story

Hi,

I am looking for the name of a science fiction story or novel that I read 30 years ago.

It is a "space opera" about a lone human that travels some distance through a galaxy populated by various aliens. I thought it was by Harry Harrison, but I can't find anything in his work that fits.

I remember specifically that the main character is put to work as a slave separating functional equipment (light bulbs?) from faulty. He is supposed to use an intuitive process, and indeed he learns how to do this (encouraged by electric shocks). In the rest of the novel he consistently uses this trick to learn new skills intuitively, most notably machete-fighting.

The novel is typical for the there-is-something-special-about-humans approach to SF. I also remember him walking a tightrope, and an avian alien wondering aloud how he managed to do that "with those feet".

I would be grateful for any help, or a pointer to a more suitable forum for this question.

Thanks,

GilHamiltonTheArm (talk) 12:09, 26 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Sounds more like something Robert Sheckley would do. Clarityfiend (talk) 19:26, 26 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Also sounds like a very typical Piers Anthony plot, but I haven't read all his works and don't recognize the plot. μηδείς (talk) 20:58, 28 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I don't know, but as far as other resources go, ask.metafilter.com is great at these kinds of questions. You have to pay a $5 fee for a lifetime membership to post questions or answers, but you can read for free. Here's some of their successful book ID questions/answers, to give you a feel for what they can do: [1] (there are many more questions about "what's that book", but they aren't always well tagged). SemanticMantis (talk) 21:27, 28 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Why are hockey players wearing eye black?

I'm watching the NY Rangers play the NJ Devils in Yankee Stadium at the moment and seeing a number of players wearing eye black. That stuff is for glare as far as I understand, but it is not sunny at all. Why are the ones that are, wearing eye black? 75.75.42.89 (talk) 19:06, 26 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I'm thinking it's the same reason Ancient Egyptians put kohl under their eyes (other than aesthetics). The black absorbed the light reflected from the sand in the same way that (for the hockey players) it absorbs light reflected from the ice.Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie | ^{Say Shalom!} 25 Shevat 5774 19:22, 26 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

We have an article, Eye black, which presents some (flawed) results that tend to support the notion. However, I have to wonder about its effectiveness when (the other) football and tennis players don't use it. (Apparently helmets are de rigueur.) Clarityfiend (talk) 01:39, 27 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, they are wearing it because professional sports people are desperate to do anything that might help their performance, and they believe that stuff will. It probably doesn't. HiLo48 (talk) 04:43, 27 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

There would be just as much glare from the ice inside, wouldn't there? Relatively more, surely, since there are lights inside and there was no sun during this game. They don't wear eye black inside during normal games. Maybe it's just because they're playing in baseball/football stadiums, and eye black is something baseball and football players typically wear. Adam Bishop (talk) 11:36, 27 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

There was a recent discussion about this at Wikipedia:Reference_desk/Archives/Entertainment/2013_December_14#Marks_under_the_eyes. It seems to be a purely North American thing, although it had a brief popularity in Australia. In the opinion of most of the editors, it was more about intimidating the opposition than anything else, but since nobody was able to quote any learned articles or research, who knows for sure? Alansplodge (talk) 11:41, 27 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Right, there is plenty of glare on an ice rink! Also, whether or not eyeblack can be scientifically shown to improve vision, it is clear that many athletes believe that it does. SemanticMantis (talk) 21:19, 28 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Also, even if it was absolutely proven to be completely ineffective, it's use might continue, due to tradition. After all, men's ties don't do squat, yet are still kept alive as a tradition. StuRat (talk) 23:26, 28 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Most fashionistas would take issue with "men's ties don't do squat". Clothing is not all about utility. -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 04:31, 29 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]

In any case, ties (which I frequently wear and am so now) do have significant utility.

By tightening and loosening my tie, I micro-regulate my temperature (when, for example, passing between a warm office and the chillier outdoors).
I habitually use my ties to polish dust etc from my spectacles.
Wearing a tie that co-ordinates with my other clothing boosts my feelings of self esteem.
Choice of design and pattern can signal my mood and intended attitude on given occasions.
From decades-long experience, a tie wearer experiences a little more deference, politeness and helpfulness from public officials such as train staff, shop assistents and so on. [UK-specific - may not apply in other cultures.] {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 212.95.237.92 (talk) 13:45, 29 January 2014 (UTC)[reply]