The literate book geeks will survive

[Sabriel]

According to Australia's Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPNSA), you can stop gamma radiation by putting stacks of books between you and the source.

I knew there was a reason I saved my collection of 50 Star Trek paperbacks from the '70s and '80s! And all those college English classes I took are totally gonna save my ass:


"If you are advised to take shelter you should:
--Turn off the air conditioner, ventilation fans and furnace and close fireplace dampers and other air intakes.
--Close and lock all windows and doors.
--Go to the basement or other underground area if possible.
--Stay as far away from windows and doors as possible.
--Place physical barriers, such as lead, earth, concrete or stacks of books between yourself and the source of the radiation to provide shielding from gamma radiation."

http://www.arpansa.gov.au/News/MediaReleases/JapanAdvisory.cfm

I should xpost this to the Books: Fiction and Books: Non-Fiction fora, too.

[Adsos Letter]

1. I'll be safe at my desk; surrounded by books here.

:D

[northoftheborder]

2. Now I know why I have saved 7 bookshelves full of books!!!

[Sabriel]

3. Now aren't you glad you hauled them with you every time you moved?

You knew deep down there was a reason to keep them.

[niyad]

13. only 7? now how do you think you are going to survive with only seven???

[hedgehog]

4. Try doing that with a Kindle!

[Sabriel]

6. Do they make Kindles out of lead? That'll work. n/t

[Solly Mack]

5. Yes!

[backscatter712]

7. This old film had some excellent advice!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0K_LZDXp0I

[Sabriel]

8. I saw that when I was in elementary school

And watching it now, I thought to myself, "Hey, this looks just like a DHARMA Initiative film!"

I miss Lost....

[Recovered Repug]

9. They forgot the 2 most important steps.

- Loosen all restrictive clothing
- Put your head between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye.

[Sabriel]

10. There's no way I could be that flexible

Can I just do the clothing part?

[Recovered Repug]

11. Nope, sorry.

I suggest that you take up yoga and start practicing.

[niyad]

12. will any books do? paperbacks or hardcover? how thick?

honestly, I thought this was from the Onion--it certainly sounded like the duct tape and plastic nonsense we heard during bushco.

[Zoeisright]

14. HA! I have 34 floor to ceiling bookcases.

Of course, I'd have a hard time sacrificing my books. How long would they stay radioactive? :P

[Sabriel]

15. I want to know if the bookcases themselves provide protection

It would be a good selling point for IKEA:

"The Billy bookcase: now with gamma shielding!"

[Zoeisright]

16. Good question!

All of mine are packed full of books.

[FLPanhandle]

17. I, for one, welcome our new librarian overloads.