Detecting best path?

[Jymesion]

I'm a writer, and although I keep telling myself I'm still an
electronics amateur, I haven't actually touched a soldering iron in
years. I hope you'll help me anyway.

Partway into a story, I've hit a snag because I'm not positive a
necessary 'prop' can be made.

This problem is therefore theoretical in that I won't actually build
it, but my internal editor demands that it could be built, and I have
to know what, if any, limitations there might be.

(Sorry this is so long, but I hate asking for help and then having to
tell people, "That's a great idea, but it won't work here because
<insert something my original post didn't state>.")

Scenario:
A Cross looks to be of ivory with inlaid gold ribbon spiraling around
it. The stalk is about 2 inches in diameter and 3 feet long. The
crossbar is 1 inch diameter and 1 foot long. It's laying on an altar.

A suspect is told to pick up the Cross and swear to God he's innocent.
He does, then falls to the floor in agony and begins to go into
convulsions.

'Real' Situation:
The Cross is tubes of insulating ceramic, and the gold ribbon isn't
continuous -- there are gaps on the back of the Cross, making each
turn a contact plate connected to a voltage multiplier. A remote
control turns it on and off. Output (without load) is 300kV.

If the contact plates simply alternated + - + - + - etc., then it
might only sting the hands of the person holding it, and the effect
must be much more pronounced. (This was a real ritual, and the person
could pick up and hold the Cross in whatever manner they wished.)

What's needed is some method of determining which contact plates will
send the current through the person's body. Once that's been done,
servo motors driving rotary switches can connect the proper plates.

The selection can't be done using the remote because the official's
hands must be in plain view to prevent his making cabalistic signs to
influence the outcome (a tension switch on an armband turns it on when
he flexes his bicep).

The voltage multiplier, receiver, and servos already take up a lot of
the internal space, and it needs as much battery capacity as possible
because it'll be used repeatedly.

So: a user-built circuit no more than 1.25 inches in diameter, as
short as possible, using only off-the-shelf components (the circuit
board(s) can be etched as a one-off), to detect resistance(?) or
capacitance(?) between contact plates, determine which two are
optimal, and output their identity as hi/lo on four wires for each
servo. A microprocessor is not an option (the character building it is
competent in basic electronics but not in programming or burning
proms, and he doesn't have time to learn (he can't enlist outside
help)).

Any ideas?


Any help greatly appreciated!

 

[Jamie]

Jymesion wrote:

I'm a writer, and although I keep telling myself I'm still an
electronics amateur, I haven't actually touched a soldering iron in
years. I hope you'll help me anyway.

Partway into a story, I've hit a snag because I'm not positive a
necessary 'prop' can be made.

This problem is therefore theoretical in that I won't actually build
it, but my internal editor demands that it could be built, and I have
to know what, if any, limitations there might be.

(Sorry this is so long, but I hate asking for help and then having to
tell people, "That's a great idea, but it won't work here because
insert something my original post didn't state>.")

Scenario:
A Cross looks to be of ivory with inlaid gold ribbon spiraling around
it. The stalk is about 2 inches in diameter and 3 feet long. The
crossbar is 1 inch diameter and 1 foot long. It's laying on an altar.

A suspect is told to pick up the Cross and swear to God he's innocent.
He does, then falls to the floor in agony and begins to go into
convulsions.

'Real' Situation:
The Cross is tubes of insulating ceramic, and the gold ribbon isn't
continuous -- there are gaps on the back of the Cross, making each
turn a contact plate connected to a voltage multiplier. A remote
control turns it on and off. Output (without load) is 300kV.

If the contact plates simply alternated + - + - + - etc., then it
might only sting the hands of the person holding it, and the effect
must be much more pronounced. (This was a real ritual, and the person
could pick up and hold the Cross in whatever manner they wished.)

What's needed is some method of determining which contact plates will
send the current through the person's body. Once that's been done,
servo motors driving rotary switches can connect the proper plates.

The selection can't be done using the remote because the official's
hands must be in plain view to prevent his making cabalistic signs to
influence the outcome (a tension switch on an armband turns it on when
he flexes his bicep).

The voltage multiplier, receiver, and servos already take up a lot of
the internal space, and it needs as much battery capacity as possible
because it'll be used repeatedly.

So: a user-built circuit no more than 1.25 inches in diameter, as
short as possible, using only off-the-shelf components (the circuit
board(s) can be etched as a one-off), to detect resistance(?) or
capacitance(?) between contact plates, determine which two are
optimal, and output their identity as hi/lo on four wires for each
servo. A microprocessor is not an option (the character building it is
competent in basic electronics but not in programming or burning
proms, and he doesn't have time to learn (he can't enlist outside
help)).

Any ideas?


Any help greatly appreciated!

I can't believe I read the whole thing.



Jamie

 

[Jymesion]

On Sun, 14 Oct 2012 17:29:13 -0400, Jamie
<jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1lpa_@charter.net> wrote:

Jymesion wrote:
(Sorry this is so long, but I hate asking for help and then having to
tell people, "That's a great idea, but it won't work here because
insert something my original post didn't state>.")

I can't believe I read the whole thing.

Any chance you'll be able to solve the problem once your mind
un-numbs?

 

[Michael A. Terrell]

Jymesion wrote:

On Sun, 14 Oct 2012 17:29:13 -0400, Jamie
jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1lpa_@charter.net> wrote:

Jymesion wrote:
(Sorry this is so long, but I hate asking for help and then having to
tell people, "That's a great idea, but it won't work here because
insert something my original post didn't state>.")

I can't believe I read the whole thing.


Any chance you'll be able to solve the problem once your mind
un-numbs?

No one will live long enough to see that happen.

 

[Tim Wescott]

On Sun, 14 Oct 2012 15:40:00 -0600, Jymesion wrote:

I'm a writer, and although I keep telling myself I'm still an
electronics amateur, I haven't actually touched a soldering iron in
years. I hope you'll help me anyway.

Partway into a story, I've hit a snag because I'm not positive a
necessary 'prop' can be made.

This problem is therefore theoretical in that I won't actually build it,
but my internal editor demands that it could be built, and I have to
know what, if any, limitations there might be.

(Sorry this is so long, but I hate asking for help and then having to
tell people, "That's a great idea, but it won't work here because
insert something my original post didn't state>.")

Scenario:
A Cross looks to be of ivory with inlaid gold ribbon spiraling around
it. The stalk is about 2 inches in diameter and 3 feet long. The
crossbar is 1 inch diameter and 1 foot long. It's laying on an altar.

A suspect is told to pick up the Cross and swear to God he's innocent.
He does, then falls to the floor in agony and begins to go into
convulsions.

'Real' Situation:
The Cross is tubes of insulating ceramic, and the gold ribbon isn't
continuous -- there are gaps on the back of the Cross, making each turn
a contact plate connected to a voltage multiplier. A remote control
turns it on and off. Output (without load) is 300kV.

If the contact plates simply alternated + - + - + - etc., then it might
only sting the hands of the person holding it, and the effect must be
much more pronounced. (This was a real ritual, and the person could pick
up and hold the Cross in whatever manner they wished.)

What's needed is some method of determining which contact plates will
send the current through the person's body. Once that's been done, servo
motors driving rotary switches can connect the proper plates.

The selection can't be done using the remote because the official's
hands must be in plain view to prevent his making cabalistic signs to
influence the outcome (a tension switch on an armband turns it on when
he flexes his bicep).

The voltage multiplier, receiver, and servos already take up a lot of
the internal space, and it needs as much battery capacity as possible
because it'll be used repeatedly.

So: a user-built circuit no more than 1.25 inches in diameter, as short
as possible, using only off-the-shelf components (the circuit board(s)
can be etched as a one-off), to detect resistance(?) or capacitance(?)
between contact plates, determine which two are optimal, and output
their identity as hi/lo on four wires for each servo. A microprocessor
is not an option (the character building it is competent in basic
electronics but not in programming or burning proms, and he doesn't have
time to learn (he can't enlist outside help)).

Any ideas?


Any help greatly appreciated!

300kV is way more voltage than you need. Current kills, you only need
enough voltage to force that current through. Supposedly 12V will do it
on a Really Bad Day; I've survived multiple jolts from 120V as have many
other folks (but many others have died for it, mostly in accidents
involving water and an inability to get disconnected). 500V to 1000V
should do it.

300kV at sufficient current would probably leave a smoking corpse, and
would require more battery than you have. In fact, 300kV at sufficient
current to kill would be sparking, popping and snapping over distances
larger than one foot on a humid day.

Some actual research at an actual library may come in handy. Or even
Google or Wikipedia.

If Poor Doomed Innocent Guy touches the cross then falls to the floor
convulsing without keeping a grip on said cross, then I'll put your book
down in disgust -- the convulsions only continue for as long as the cross
is in hand. After that the guy will be wherever he was thrown from the
shock, or stone dead.

Servo motors driving rotary switches are kind of lame, unless your
villain is pretty lame, too, and your Intrepid Hero is to figure it out
because of the whirring noises, and the suppressed curses when some of
the Poor Innocent Doomed Guys walk away whistling.

Better would be a circuit between each set of contacts, with its own
battery, that's switching (for efficiency), current limited to 20mA (or
2-3x fatal), and will go to up to 1000kV. Then when Poor Doomed Innocent
Guy grabs it, the circuit will automatically adjust itself for fatality.

Use opto-isolators to turn it all on.

Or better yet, write political speeches -- the audience is much more
willing to suspend disbelief.

--
Tim Wescott
Control system and signal processing consulting
www.wescottdesign.com

 

[Jymesion]

On Sun, 14 Oct 2012 22:17:29 -0500, Tim Wescott
<tim@seemywebsite.please> wrote:

300kV at sufficient current would probably leave a smoking corpse, and
would require more battery than you have. In fact, 300kV at sufficient
current to kill would be sparking, popping and snapping over distances
larger than one foot on a humid day.

Some actual research at an actual library may come in handy. Or even
Google or Wikipedia.

My research was to find a voltage multiplier module with an output
equivalent to the stun gun I have and that would fit in the required
space. It took all of three minutes -- there were a lot of options.

Funny, none of the advertisements mentioned burning people alive.

 

[Bob Masta]

On Sun, 14 Oct 2012 23:13:33 -0600, Jymesion
<noreplies@jymes.com> wrote:

On Sun, 14 Oct 2012 22:17:29 -0500, Tim Wescott
tim@seemywebsite.please> wrote:

300kV at sufficient current would probably leave a smoking corpse, and
would require more battery than you have. In fact, 300kV at sufficient
current to kill would be sparking, popping and snapping over distances
larger than one foot on a humid day.

Some actual research at an actual library may come in handy. Or even
Google or Wikipedia.

My research was to find a voltage multiplier module with an output
equivalent to the stun gun I have and that would fit in the required
space. It took all of three minutes -- there were a lot of options.

Funny, none of the advertisements mentioned burning people alive.

I don't have a problem with the 300 KV as such, though you
could surely get by with a bit less. You just need to punch
through the outer skin resistance, which could be high if
the victim has dry skin. Note that tasers avoid this by
physcially poking through the skin. (But you can easily
include moist skin in the plot, since the guy is likely to
be stressed out about the whole ceremony thingy.)

You probably aren't getting too much current from your
voltage multiplier anyway, but you could mention it if you
really feel it's needed. I don't think most people would
bat an eye at that, since they know about tasers and such by
now.

Tim is dead-on about servos... some sort of solid state
switching will sound much more plausible. But I don't think
you even need switching.

If it were my story, I'd skip this issue entirely and just
make it a part of the ceremony that the celebrant must hold
the cross in a specific way. Maybe both hands have to be
near the bottom, and his forehead touches the top. Or maybe
he has to kiss the top. Or maybe the left had has to be at
the bottom, and the right hand has to be above it. There's
a lot of room to play with here.

Best regards,


Bob Masta

DAQARTA v7.10
Data AcQuisition And Real-Time Analysis
www.daqarta.com
Scope, Spectrum, Spectrogram, Sound Level Meter
Frequency Counter, Pitch Track, Pitch-to-MIDI
FREE Signal Generator, DaqMusic generator
Science with your sound card!

 

[Tom Biasi]

On 10/15/2012 8:34 AM, Bob Masta wrote:
Snip>

If it were my story, I'd skip this issue entirely and just
make it a part of the ceremony that the celebrant must hold
the cross in a specific way. Maybe both hands have to be
near the bottom, and his forehead touches the top. Or maybe
he has to kiss the top. Or maybe the left had has to be at
the bottom, and the right hand has to be above it. There's
a lot of room to play with here.

Best regards,


Bob Masta

Unless he really wants to build it.

 

[Tim Wescott]

On Sun, 14 Oct 2012 23:13:33 -0600, Jymesion wrote:

On Sun, 14 Oct 2012 22:17:29 -0500, Tim Wescott
tim@seemywebsite.please> wrote:

300kV at sufficient current would probably leave a smoking corpse, and
would require more battery than you have. In fact, 300kV at sufficient
current to kill would be sparking, popping and snapping over distances
larger than one foot on a humid day.

Some actual research at an actual library may come in handy. Or even
Google or Wikipedia.

My research was to find a voltage multiplier module with an output
equivalent to the stun gun I have and that would fit in the required
space. It took all of three minutes -- there were a lot of options.

Funny, none of the advertisements mentioned burning people alive.

I realized that I assumed you were trying to kill. So, are you trying to
kill the guy or just make him shout?

Your stun gun doesn't keep generating 300kV when it's actually connected
to a person. And, since it's a _stun_ gun, it doesn't generate much
current (I don't know what's considered safe, but chances are it's less
than what's considered lethal).

Regardless, unless the guy has some underlying medical condition, once
he's off the current he's going to stop convulsing (unless he pulls a
muscle, in which case he'll be convulsing in pain as from any other
injury).

If you're just going for pain & convulsions, then connect the whole thing
together through a resistive divider -- gold - resistor - gold - resistor
- etc. Then wherever your Hapless Victim grabs the thing, a current will
be established.

If I sound a bit cynical, it's because I don't think it would work in
real life, on a whole bunch of different levels: getting a reliable
honkin' big shock without either piercing the skin or risking death is
pretty iffy, and isn't something that you can do right out of the chute,
even if you're knowledgeable; having everyone in the room be smart enough
to get to the ceremony at the appointed time yet dumb enough not to
realize that trickery is involved isn't likely (unless there's time
travel involved); having someone dumb enough (or evil) enough to get into
the situation while still being smart enough to wire the thing up, etc.

--
My liberal friends think I'm a conservative kook.
My conservative friends think I'm a liberal kook.
Why am I not happy that they have found common ground?

Tim Wescott, Communications, Control, Circuits & Software
http://www.wescottdesign.com

 

[Jymesion]

On Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:58:25 -0500, Tim Wescott <tim@seemywebsite.com>
wrote:

Regardless, unless the guy has some underlying medical condition, once
he's off the current he's going to stop convulsing

That's why I think selection of contact plates is important.

If one hand touches two active plates, it'll tingle/burn, and the
person will quickly pull their hand away, ending the session.

Current flowing through the body will make the muscles in the hands
contract. Not only will this prevent their letting go, it'll also
improve contact. (I vividly remember a junior high school science fair
entry where you gripped two handles and someone pressed a button -- it
was impossible to let go of the handles until they released the
button, stopping the current.)

I think initial contact will be sufficient to allow current flow
because the suspect is in a tense situation (sweaty hands), and
there's good pressure because they're holding it tightly enough to
raise it above their head.

Even if there is only a slight flow at first, muscle contraction and
increased sweating will improve contact.

There's a risk of death when sending current through the body because
it'll pass through the heart, but the majority of people live, and it
should only be for a few seconds.

It's only necessary to drop the person and have their agony be
obvious. In the scene, the protag (after turning it off remotely),
takes it from the suspect's hands, raises it high, says a prayer
asking for mercy if the sinner repents and confesses, and lays it on
the suspect's chest. The suspect immediately starts naming his
cohorts.

 

[Jymesion]

On Mon, 15 Oct 2012 12:34:22 GMT, N0Spam@daqarta.com (Bob Masta)
wrote:

If it were my story, I'd skip this issue entirely and just
make it a part of the ceremony that the celebrant must hold
the cross in a specific way. Maybe both hands have to be
near the bottom, and his forehead touches the top. Or maybe
he has to kiss the top. Or maybe the left had has to be at
the bottom, and the right hand has to be above it. There's
a lot of room to play with here.

For me, it's a matter of readers crying foul. It's fine to introduce
any absurdity (as long as it's believable), but when including
something which existed in the real world, it's immutable unless you
can show why/how history was different/changed.

Example: tobacco and potatoes in The Lord of the Rings. How pipeweed
was introduced is in the text, so that's fine. But readers, a lot of
readers, deplore there being potatoes because they didn't exist in
that latitude before a certain date.

Since my writing is nowhere near that of Tolkein's, my stories will
suffer more if the readers see mistakes.

 

[Jymesion]

On Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:56:50 -0400, Tom Biasi <tombiasi@optonline.net>
wrote:

Unless he really wants to build it.

I need to know both for confidence and defense.

Unless I know it could actually be built, it'll nag at me, and at some
point, I might decide to cut the scene. That would necessitate a
replacement scene with exactly the same plot elements, motivations,
and characterizations. Writing is hard enough without having to create
within such a rigid framework.

If/when it's published, there will surely be readers who question it.
If I can't trot out a decent description, they'll brand it a mistake,
and even a few reviews which question the author's accuracy can hurt
sales.

If it was a disintegrator ray, no one would question it, but when a
character in present-day builds something using off-the-shelf
components, it better be buildable.

 

[Tom Biasi]

On 10/15/2012 7:59 PM, Jymesion wrote:

On Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:56:50 -0400, Tom Biasi <tombiasi@optonline.net
wrote:

Unless he really wants to build it.

I need to know both for confidence and defense.

Unless I know it could actually be built, it'll nag at me, and at some
point, I might decide to cut the scene. That would necessitate a
replacement scene with exactly the same plot elements, motivations,
and characterizations. Writing is hard enough without having to create
within such a rigid framework.

If/when it's published, there will surely be readers who question it.
If I can't trot out a decent description, they'll brand it a mistake,
and even a few reviews which question the author's accuracy can hurt
sales.

If it was a disintegrator ray, no one would question it, but when a
character in present-day builds something using off-the-shelf
components, it better be buildable.

Well, I'm sorry for insulting you but I just don't buy your story.
Writers don't give a Damn about whether or not something is plausible to
an expert group, only that the audience will accept it.
I really think you want this device for what ever reason.
JMNSHO,
Tom

 

[Jymesion]

On Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:36:41 -0400, Tom Biasi <tombiasi@optonline.net>
wrote:

Writers don't give a Damn about whether or not something is plausible to
an expert group, only that the audience will accept it.

You must have been exposed to a lot of utter crap.

A good author, or one who wants to be good, researches anything that
might be called into question and agonizes over not recognizing that
something might be questionable.

This is so ingrained there's even the question of whether it's better
to actually be accurate or to be believable. When discussing a
different aspect of this work with other writers, they called into
question my use of the terms 'serfs.' It's technically correct for the
particular era and area, but serfdom had declined so significantly
within that general time frame that most readers would see it as a
mistake.

Even if an author didn't care, the agent would, because a novel full
of errors is harder to sell, and publishers know any good reviews of a
novel can sink out of sight if readers can point out mistakes (and
some people love to talk about finding errors because they think it
makes them look smart).

Readers' awareness of mistakes is so high that writers, like E.B.
White, who can justify creative anachronisms are usually hailed as
geniuses.

 

[Cydrome Leader]

Jymesion <noreplies@jymes.com> wrote:

I'm a writer, and although I keep telling myself I'm still an
electronics amateur, I haven't actually touched a soldering iron in
years. I hope you'll help me anyway.

Partway into a story, I've hit a snag because I'm not positive a
necessary 'prop' can be made.

This problem is therefore theoretical in that I won't actually build
it, but my internal editor demands that it could be built, and I have
to know what, if any, limitations there might be.

(Sorry this is so long, but I hate asking for help and then having to
tell people, "That's a great idea, but it won't work here because
insert something my original post didn't state>.")

Scenario:
A Cross looks to be of ivory with inlaid gold ribbon spiraling around
it. The stalk is about 2 inches in diameter and 3 feet long. The
crossbar is 1 inch diameter and 1 foot long. It's laying on an altar.

A suspect is told to pick up the Cross and swear to God he's innocent.
He does, then falls to the floor in agony and begins to go into
convulsions.

'Real' Situation:
The Cross is tubes of insulating ceramic, and the gold ribbon isn't
continuous -- there are gaps on the back of the Cross, making each
turn a contact plate connected to a voltage multiplier. A remote
control turns it on and off. Output (without load) is 300kV.

If the contact plates simply alternated + - + - + - etc., then it
might only sting the hands of the person holding it, and the effect
must be much more pronounced. (This was a real ritual, and the person
could pick up and hold the Cross in whatever manner they wished.)

What's needed is some method of determining which contact plates will
send the current through the person's body. Once that's been done,
servo motors driving rotary switches can connect the proper plates.

The selection can't be done using the remote because the official's
hands must be in plain view to prevent his making cabalistic signs to
influence the outcome (a tension switch on an armband turns it on when
he flexes his bicep).

The voltage multiplier, receiver, and servos already take up a lot of
the internal space, and it needs as much battery capacity as possible
because it'll be used repeatedly.

So: a user-built circuit no more than 1.25 inches in diameter, as
short as possible, using only off-the-shelf components (the circuit
board(s) can be etched as a one-off), to detect resistance(?) or
capacitance(?) between contact plates, determine which two are
optimal, and output their identity as hi/lo on four wires for each
servo. A microprocessor is not an option (the character building it is
competent in basic electronics but not in programming or burning
proms, and he doesn't have time to learn (he can't enlist outside
help)).

Any ideas?


Any help greatly appreciated!

too complex.

it would be possible to stuff the tube with photoflash style capacitors,
trigger them with a SCR. How to arrange the terminals would be the issue,
but it's possible people would grab it the same way dues to its size or
how it's positioned.

No gadget is going to generate 300kV, and if if did, it's not going to be
discrete at all.

 

[Jasen Betts]

On 2012-10-14, Jymesion <noreplies@jymes.com> wrote:

'Real' Situation:
The Cross is tubes of insulating ceramic, and the gold ribbon isn't
continuous -- there are gaps on the back of the Cross, making each
turn a contact plate connected to a voltage multiplier. A remote
control turns it on and off. Output (without load) is 300kV.

Ivory is a pretty good insulator itself. I put about 1000V across 2mm
of ivory-faced mahjongg tile and wan not able to measure any current
flowing with my cheap equipment, I would not be surprised if it was as
good as dry wood - near perfect. Ivory is also tougher than ceramic,
ceramic is likely to shatter if banged on a stone floor etc. Ivory
coloured plastic tube is another option

If the contact plates simply alternated + - + - + - etc., then it
might only sting the hands of the person holding it, and the effect
must be much more pronounced. (This was a real ritual, and the person
could pick up and hold the Cross in whatever manner they wished.)

What's needed is some method of determining which contact plates will
send the current through the person's body.

You can use spark gaps to route the current. Just put a 0.1mm spark gap
between each segment and apply the voltage between the ends. the gaps
will arc and connect the segments in series until the current reaches
each hand and then the current will take the easier path through the
hands and arms,

--
⚂⚃ 100% natural

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: news@netfront.net ---

 

[Jymesion]

On Tue, 16 Oct 2012 03:50:22 +0000 (UTC), Cydrome Leader
<presence@MUNGEpanix.com> wrote:

it would be possible to stuff the tube with photoflash style capacitors,
trigger them with a SCR. How to arrange the terminals would be the issue,
but it's possible people would grab it the same way dues to its size or
how it's positioned.

There's the rub -- they didn't. I found a period account which
described the ritual. One person picked it up with one hand on the
stalk and one hand on the crossbar, another held the stalk in both
hands. The first passed, the second nearly failed because it slipped
down (I assume the weight and his sweaty hands were a bad
combination).

No gadget is going to generate 300kV, and if if did, it's not going to be
discrete at all.

It's basically a rigged-out stun gun. The 300kV is without load.

 

[Jymesion]

On 16 Oct 2012 06:41:17 GMT, Jasen Betts <jasen@xnet.co.nz> wrote:

On 2012-10-14, Jymesion <noreplies@jymes.com> wrote:
'Real' Situation:
The Cross is tubes of insulating ceramic, and the gold ribbon isn't
continuous -- there are gaps on the back of the Cross, making each
turn a contact plate connected to a voltage multiplier. A remote
control turns it on and off. Output (without load) is 300kV.

Ivory is a pretty good insulator itself.

Ivory isn't practical in this situation because there's no good excuse
for him to have it. He can order ceramic tubes in a variety of sizes
from a company where he buys items for his electronics hobby. As long
as it seems mainstream, and can't be used to build an obvious weapon,
it slips under the radar of those watching him.

What's needed is some method of determining which contact plates will
send the current through the person's body.

You can use spark gaps to route the current. Just put a 0.1mm spark gap
between each segment and apply the voltage between the ends. the gaps
will arc and connect the segments in series until the current reaches
each hand and then the current will take the easier path through the
hands and arms,

Wouldn't the easiest path be though a hand which touches two plates?

If that happens, the suspect will let go. While that would establish
his guilt, it wouldn't be as frightening. I assume anyone who'd plot
to assassinate his king would be made of stern stuff, and it'd take a
combination of pain and fear to make him confess and start naming
names.

 

[Tom Biasi]

On 10/15/2012 11:48 PM, Jymesion wrote:

On Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:36:41 -0400, Tom Biasi <tombiasi@optonline.net
wrote:

Writers don't give a Damn about whether or not something is plausible to
an expert group, only that the audience will accept it.

You must have been exposed to a lot of utter crap.

A good author, or one who wants to be good, researches anything that
might be called into question and agonizes over not recognizing that
something might be questionable.

This is so ingrained there's even the question of whether it's better
to actually be accurate or to be believable. When discussing a
different aspect of this work with other writers, they called into
question my use of the terms 'serfs.' It's technically correct for the
particular era and area, but serfdom had declined so significantly
within that general time frame that most readers would see it as a
mistake.

Even if an author didn't care, the agent would, because a novel full
of errors is harder to sell, and publishers know any good reviews of a
novel can sink out of sight if readers can point out mistakes (and
some people love to talk about finding errors because they think it
makes them look smart).

Readers' awareness of mistakes is so high that writers, like E.B.
White, who can justify creative anachronisms are usually hailed as
geniuses.

Can you point me to something you have written?

 

[John Fields]

On Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:59:40 -0600, Jymesion <noreplies@jymes.com>
wrote:

On Mon, 15 Oct 2012 12:34:22 GMT, N0Spam@daqarta.com (Bob Masta)
wrote:

If it were my story, I'd skip this issue entirely and just
make it a part of the ceremony that the celebrant must hold
the cross in a specific way. Maybe both hands have to be
near the bottom, and his forehead touches the top. Or maybe
he has to kiss the top. Or maybe the left had has to be at
the bottom, and the right hand has to be above it. There's
a lot of room to play with here.

For me, it's a matter of readers crying foul. It's fine to introduce
any absurdity (as long as it's believable), but when including
something which existed in the real world, it's immutable unless you
can show why/how history was different/changed.

Example: tobacco and potatoes in The Lord of the Rings. How pipeweed
was introduced is in the text, so that's fine. But readers, a lot of
readers, deplore there being potatoes because they didn't exist in
that latitude before a certain date.

Since my writing is nowhere near that of Tolkein's, my stories will
suffer more if the readers see mistakes.

---
What seems to me to be a glaring error is that if only one hand
gripped the cross, then there'd be no way for current to flown through
the body and elicit convulsions.

At best, if the hand muscles caused the cross to be gripped more
tightly, current flow would be limited to the hand; certainly causing
pain, but not convulsions.

--
JF