Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:
There are four planets in our solar system with rings: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. This is interesting; it suggests that gas giants (even one with the mighty gravitational pull of Jupiter) are less apt to pull the rubble, which planetary rings consist of, inward.

Today's Question:


What is it called when one tectonic plate sinks under another?

I don't know this answer but would guess it's a rift?

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, September 8, 2011; http://nineplanets.org/jupiter.html; http://nineplanets.org/saturn.html; http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/profile.cfm?Object=Uranus; http://www.solarviews.com/eng/neptune.htm; http://www.solstation.com/stars/jovians.htm; http://www.kidsgeo.com; http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/tectonic.html)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

Joycelyn Elders was the first African-American to hold the position of U.S. Surgeon General.

Today's Question:


Name the animal that is the source of the fiber mohair.

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, September 6, 2011; http://www.notablebiographies.com/Du-Fi/Elders-Joycelyn.html; http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y49/pspauld/BlogPix/Joycelyn_Elders_official_photo_port.jpg; http://www.aristofashion.com)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:


Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery is reserved for military personnel killed in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan.

(I wonder if they adjust the size of the plot as needed or just how densely they're packed together.)


Today's Question:

Who was the first African-American to hold the post of U.S. Surgeon General?
I don't know this one--and to think I went to an HBCU!

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, September 5, 2011; http://afroamhistory.about.com/; http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/; http://www.hbcu.com/; blackcollege.blogspot.com; http://4.bp.blogspot.com)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

Formication is the sensation that insects or snakes are crawling over the skin. That’d be enough to drive a Schizophrenic or someone with severe Delirium Tremens crazy.

This photo links to a great DTs scene from The Lost Weekend. Looks like they video taped their TV. If you find the original it's an excellent movie (comparable--not better) to Van Dyke's, The Morning After--the details have stuck with me since Health Class circa 1984.


Today's Question:


Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery is reserved for whose burial?

Don't know this one--maybe our new dead soldiers?
(Section: American Mensa, email transmission, September 4, 2011; http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/odd-curious-and-rare/200911/formication; http://www.schizophrenia.com/; http://www.treatment4addiction.com; http://youtu.be/3A6yi_2pLLM; http://www.moviesunlimited.com/musite/product.asp?sku=D21284&gclid=CK2RwsP7g6sCFciC5Qods3hA4g; http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

Counting coup was the Plains Indians' practice of touching the enemy without doing physical harm and then retreating. This tactic demonstrated to the enemy that they could easily have been struck down and was a form of psychological warfare.

Today's Question:
Define "formication." (it's an "m" not an "n")


I do not know this one without looking it up though it sounds like it could mean sculpting or perhaps mitosis.





(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, September 3, 2011; http://www.nativeartstrading.com/Native-American-Indian-Coup-Sticks.htm; http://lonestar-retreat.com; http://www.figurines-sculpture.com/clay-sculpting.html; http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/tutorials/cell_cycle/cells3.html; http://youtu.be/VlN7K1-9QB0)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

The specific names for the male and female of the swan are the cob and pen, respectively.

Photo links to nice video of swans in love.

Today's Question:


What two-word phrase refers to the Plains Indians' battle practice of touching an enemy and then retreating unharmed?

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, September 2, 2011; http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/576262/swan; http://www.swanparadise.com; http://youtu.be/zrcXIJKAu1M)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack

Yesterday's Answer, Today's Question

Yesterday's Answer:

Carl Sagan was quoted as saying, "We are made of star stuff."

                                        This picture is linked to an interesting video.


Today's Question:


Give the specific names for the male and female of the swan.

I know this one's in my brain somewhere but can't seem to access it.

(Sources: American Mensa, email transmission, September 1, 2011; http://www.notablebiographies.com/Ro-Sc/Sagan-Carl.html; http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/050921a.html; http://dennisthevizsla.files.wordpress.com; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGK84Poeynk)

Compiled by Otto and Patricia Ladensack