this post was submitted on 17 Aug 2023
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Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

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Everyone is armed all the time and that's normal, but to draw a weapon is an overt hostile act. A standoff therefore is a game of chicken because both want to kill each other and you want to draw first to have the highest chance of surviving, but even a bandit will hesitate to add a felony murder charge to their rap sheet. The whole town serves as witness when there is a pair of eyes behind every shuttered window. The hero always draws second, both demonstrating his superior skill and speed by defeating the opponent even at a disadvantage, and getting away with murder scot-free.

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[–] iyaerP 42 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (4 children)
[–] [email protected] 41 points 1 year ago

So what does this mean for Western gunslingers? Is it always better to draw second? Well, not quite. Welchman also found that the 21 millisecond benefit of reacting quickly was totally overwhelmed by the 200 milliseconds it took to react in the first place.

[–] [email protected] 32 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Of course, ethics committees might frown on scientists duelling with the pistols in the name of discovery, even if the people in question were graduate students.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

Seeking volunteers with iron deficiency.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

But... Han shot first?