☤ fifty-four

[as_damaged]

[VIDEO;]

[The camera is trained on a table. On the table is a carton of eggs, a pile of newspapers, some plastic cups, some bubble wrap, several rolls of several kinds of tape; scissors, packing peanuts (the biodegradable sort, of course,) a few cans and plastic canisters, cardboard tubes from toilet paper rolls, paper towels, some twine, some fishing line, a few distressingly-shaped surgical implements, clamps, cotton balls, and a number of other assorted items. And a half-full bottle of Elmer's glue, because half-full bottles of Elmer's glue always turn up when you get this kind of junk together. Something inaudible is muttered and the picture sways a little before moving in-- not zooming, because this is not that kind of nice camerawork, but physically moving closer-- to the carton of eggs. After another moment it pulls back and wobbles up, to show Allison Cameron standing with her hands on her hips, looking firm, measured, and totally in control.]

This exercise was designed for the staff of City General, but if anyone else wants to try their hand you're welcome to join us. [She smiles coolly.] We have plenty of supplies.

[She leans over slightly and picks up the box of eggs.]

Your task today is to design a container that will hold and protect one ordinary egg, keeping it from breaking when the container is dropped. You'll have three hours to design and build your boxes. Once everyone has finished, they'll be dropped from successively greater heights-- first five feet, then ten, and subsequently from the windows of the hospital, on different floors. The egg that survives the longest-- from the highest drop, that is-- is the winner.

Supplies are in the third floor lounge. I encourage you to work in pairs.

[She smiles, a tight and authoritative little curve of her lips. Whoever she has roped into filming this deserves an award for putting up with the (mostly) curse-induced craziness.]

There will be a prize for the winner. Good luck.



[ooc; sob please pretend this was earlier, inspiration didn't hit me til now ;_; feel free to either WTF at her or play along. If people actually want to COMPETE, I will... idk flip a coin or roll a die or something, she will indeed give the winner a small prize.]

Comments

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[dr_conscience]

[He can keep a straight face. He's good at that.]

Well, but... theoretically, what would happen in the event of a tie?

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[as_damaged]

[Egg drops are srs bsns, doctor Wilson.]

It depends how many eggs are tied. If two containers fail at the same height, their designers will split the prize. If more than two break at the same height, we'll reload them with new eggs and try again, preferably with smaller increases in height.

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[dr_conscience]

That seems fair.

[Clearly this has been thoroughly thought out.]

And the materials, are those restricted to only those supplied?

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[as_damaged]

Yes. As this is a problem-solving exercise, you are expected to use only the materials provided, or identical substitutes.

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[dr_conscience]

Of course. It would hardly be a challenge otherwise.

... well, I've got some time now. I suppose I should get to work.

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[as_damaged]

Best of luck.

[eiremagic]

....what.

[as_damaged]

It's a problem-solving exercise.

[eiremagic]

It sounds complicated.

[as_damaged]

It's really not that bad. Basically the goal is to keep the egg from breaking-- so think about what kind of container would do that most effectively. There's no right answer, either.

If you'd like you can work together with someone, too...

[eiremagic]

I don't think the nurses will want to work with me.

[as_damaged]

Then go it alone and show them what they're missing out on.

[eiremagic]

Doesn't that defeat the purpose?

[as_damaged]

In part, unfortunately. Which is why this exercise is designed with more than one objective. Getting people to work together is an obvious ultimate goal, but with a group that proves reluctant to cooperate-- or a new group-- it's beneficial to engage in some activities that prime people for innovative modes of problem-solving, and build confidence by allowing them to showcase their creativity and skills.

[eiremagic]

...............what?

[as_damaged]

What?

[eiremagic]

Was that English?

[as_damaged]

Of course.

→ IMAGE

[worksmart.livejournal.com]

→ text

[as_damaged]

If that's your suggestion for a container, I'm afraid it doesn't qualify.

→ text

[worksmart.livejournal.com]

It was in the room. And it's step one of my container.

→ text

[as_damaged]

The empty jar would be permissible, the peanut butter is not.

[orangetoughguy]

What kind of prize?

[as_damaged]

You'll find out at the end.

[orangetoughguy]

Well if that ain't some incentive I dunno what is.

[as_damaged]

It's always worth cultivating a certain air of mystery.

[orangetoughguy]

So you think about this kind of thing? Mysterious and brilliant.

[as_damaged]

There aren't many situations in life that won't benefit from an application of basic psychological principles.

[orangetoughguy]

I thought we were talking about physics.

[as_damaged]

Physics are really a means to an end here.

[orangetoughguy]

Well I sure don't work at no hospital but I'll give it a try.

[Using superhero logic. What would Reed Richards do?]

[as_damaged]

[Well, don't ask Cameron, she couldn't tell you what Reed Richards would do if her life depended upon it.]

I look forward to seeing your entry.

[doctor-tangent.livejournal.com]

Is this a good use of our time as doctors?

[He's utterly contemplating how to make a good container without letting anyone realize it, and nobody would be the wiser.

[as_damaged]

It's a problem-solving exercise, intended to encourage creativity, intellectual flexibility, and teamwork.

[doctor-tangent.livejournal.com]

Severely doubt teamwork will occur. Everyone for themselves tactics will likely develop. Wanting to outdo everyone else. Creativity and flexibility are definitely likely though.

[as_damaged]

Hopefully the staff will surprise you.

incidentally, your jokes will kill the yokels -- it's teamwork;

[thenormalsquint]

[Across the table is Angela, who's eying the assortment of materials warily. Couldn't Cameron get some markers to spruce up the future baskets?]

What's the prize?

Re: incidentally, your jokes will kill the yokels -- it's teamwork;

[as_damaged]

[Decoration is irrelevant to structural integrity, Ange.]

You'll find out at the end.

incidentally, your jokes will kill the yokels -- it's teamwork;

[thenormalsquint]

That's not very enticing. At least give us a clue.

[It better not be a pizza party. They are not in elementary school anymore.]

incidentally, your jokes will kill the yokels -- it's teamwork;

[as_damaged]

I'm sure you'll like it.

incidentally, your jokes will kill the yokels -- it's teamwork;

[thenormalsquint]

[She squints at Cameron. Well, if the prize sucks, Angela could always give it away. If she wins at all.]

Fine. [She pulls up a chair and starts grabbing materials.] What are the rules?

Re: incidentally, your jokes will kill the yokels -- it's teamwork;

[as_damaged]

[The competition is bound to be stiff.]

Simple. Using these materials, build something that will keep an egg from breaking when it's dropped off the side of this building.