Reddit’s live question-and-answer session, r/IAmA, was buzzing this weekend after superstar scientist and educator Neil deGrasse Tyson alighted briefly on the r/IAmA stage. That thread bubbled with scientific earnestness as redditors peppered deGrasse Tyson with more than 10,000 comments.
But don’t let the shining, karmic brilliance of deGrasse Tyson’s Ask Me Anything session distract you: There was a whole lot more going on in r/IAmA this week. Take, for instance, the chauffeur to the rich and famous (verified!); the Chinese man who fled from the Japanese in World War II; and the sushi chef who lectured on raw fish (and chopstick) etiquette.
Below, we’ve compiled the top seven posts (seven being our lucky number) from r/IAmA this week, as voted by redditors themselves. For the complete list, check here.
A note on terminology: AMA stands for “ask me anything,” while “IAMA” is simply “I am a;” AMAA means “ask me almost anything.”
Here the top seven sessions from this week, with a select question and answer from each.
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1. I am Neil deGrasse Tyson — AMA
Q: What never fails to blow your mind in physics? (guitard00d123)
A: 1) The fact that an electron has no known size — it’s smaller than the smallest measurement we have ever made of anything.
2) That Quarks come only in pairs: If you try to separate two of them, the energy you sink into the system to accomplish this feat is exactly the energy to spontaneously create two more quarks – one to partner with each of those you pulled apart.
3) That the space-time structure inside a rotating black hole does not preclude the existence of an entire other universe.
MindBlown x 3
2. IAmA professional chauffeur of celebrities and billionaires for over 5 years. AMA
Q: What’s the weirdest (possibly/hopefully illegal) thing that you have seen? (arcade_13)
A: Arnold Schwarzenegger was in Hannover/Germany [sic] to visit the CeBIT fair. While on the way to the fairground, he noticed that he was out of cigars. So he told the whole motorcade (about 15 cars, including police and motorcycles) to stop by some tobacco store. The leading car was a bit confused with the order which lead the pack into the central pedestrian area. So we there were about 15 cars, lights flashing, standing in front of a tobacco store in the middle of downtown with hundreds of people watching while the Terminator was getting some cigars.
3. IAmA WWII refugee from Nanking, China that ran to Taiwan from the Japanese invasion (AMA organized by the man’s grandson, who typed out the messages for him).
Q:After all these years, does he still hold grudges against the Japanese for what they did to the Chinese? And how did he survive the Nanking Massacre? (anti-troll69)
A: Definitely he still holds a grudge. I am in mydis 20’s now and even as a kid, I could remember stories about how poor he was because of the Japanese. He calls them “Ri Kou”, which I think translates as Japanese thieves.
He left before the “Nanking Massacre”
He was quite fortunate, as none of his close family was killed — only relatives. He said that they knew that the Japanese was coming, and thus ran before shit hit the fan. The real massacre occurred to people who refused or couldn’t leave — people who refused to leave their possessions, etc.
4. IAmA Voice Actor who has voiced Spider-Man, Ocelot, and Hal Jordan. I am Josh Keaton.
Q: Have you ever had phone sex with someone in the voice of one these characters? If not, explain yourself. (MrTacoMan)
A: I have not. The nagging voice in my head of high expectations asian father was insisting it be actual sex.
5. IamA former contestant on America’s Next Top Model. AMA.
Q: is there more to life than being really, really ridiculously good-looking? (kromak)
A: Hey! Just because we have chiseled abs and stunning features, doesn’t mean we too can’t not die in a freak gasoline fight accident.
6. IAmA Mankini from The Soup (AMAA) (TV show)
Q: How the hell do you guys watch all those hours of video to find just a few short clips that can be played out of context? (LunacyNow)
A: The entire staff (which is now a staff of 15?) watches TV all week. Boring answer, but that’s how we do it.
7. IAmA Sushi Chef AMA
Q: What are some common breaches of sushi etiquette people might not be aware of, and some things customers can do to show their appreciation (besides leaving a good tip)? (j0e)
A: Hmm. First it is considered rude to split chopsticks pointed at another person, as it is seen as parting ways to the person. (Just a fun tip) When grabbing the sushi, lightly lift it with chopsticks and dip the fish in the soy sauce and not the rice (rice will absorb and break apart). Main thing to avoid though, is not to remove any rice or remove the fish from the rice as it is a insult to the chefs. I understand some chefs do use a lot of rice sometime, but rather than to remove the rice, just tell them and they will be happy to remake it. Other thing is to try and eat it in one bite. You may also eat using your hands if chopsticks don’t work out. To show appreciation, one may offer sake or beer to the chefs as they will also accept in gratitude.
