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[deducter]

Deductions are cool.

As someone who's learning the science of deduction, it feels like how I imagine it would be like to not know how to read. A world of signs, of letters and words forming information if you just knew how to decode it. Learning to make deductions feels like finally learning to read, finally really seeing everything around you and connecting it to things to get information.

It's like learning a new language, one that's everywhere, all the time, just ready for you to notice. There's so much to be gained from that language, I think it's beautiful, and I'm happy to have one more way to quench the thirst for knowledge.

[deducter]

Fluorescein | the experiment

Well, you see, making fluorescein isn't as easy as snapping your fingers and voilà! It requires a bit of scientific know-how and experimentation. In this particular experiment, I attempted to make fluorescein (with @jasmin-k). Unfortunately, the first try didn't go as planned due to a shortage of equipment and having to make do with whatever we had at hand. But hey, that's the beauty of science—it's all about learning and trying again. Now, let me break it down for you. To make fluorescein, we need a few key ingredients that are always the same, regardless of whether we succeed or not:

Phthalic anhydride

Resorcinol

ZnCl2

In the first step, I mixed ten millimoles of phthalic anhydride and twenty millimoles of resorcinol in a two neck flask. I also added a magnetic stirrer to ensure everything blends together nicely. Now, the crucial part is achieving a uniform mixture, and for that, we need to heat things up in an oil bath at a temperature of 180 degrees Celsius. Unfortunately, I didn't have silicone oil, which is ideal for reaching that temperature. So, we improvised and thought using a sand bath might do the trick. It wasn't perfect, though, as the magnetic stirrer didn't work properly, and the mixing wasn't as uniform as we hoped. But hey, I'm not one to give up easily!

Once the substances were heated and combined, it was time to introduce twenty millimoles of zinc chloride into the mix, adding it slowly through one of the flask necks. Now, we let the substances mingle at the same temperature for a good 45 to 90 minutes. Patience is key!

When they turned a deep red colour, I switched off the heater and let the temperature drop to ninety degrees Celsius. At this point, I added twenty millilitres of water and one millilitre of concentrated HCl. Now, here's an important note: toxic vapours are produced during this process, so it's crucial to carry it out in a well-ventilated space or under a hood. Safety first, always!

To ensure complete dissolution of the substances, I placed the solution back on the heater. Once that was done, I filtered the solution, washed it with water, and finally, dried it in an oven.

Now, here's where things took a turn. The first attempt didn't yield any precipitate, which meant starting over from scratch. But I didn't let that dampen my spirits.

For the second try, I used an oil bath with silicone oil, which provided better results. After going through all the previous steps, it was time for the purification stage.

In this stage, we have to make a solution containing NaOH and HCl.

After adding them (dissolved in NaOH solution and precipitating with dilute HCl), filter the solution several times and wash it with water. Then, dry it in an oven at one hundred degrees Celsius.

And there you have it (I will show the results in the post I'm going to make in the future. So, stay tuned)! Fluorescein is ready to shine its vibrant colours. Science can be a bumpy road, but with determination and a bit of improvisation, we can make amazing discoveries. Allons-y!

— Deducter

[deducter]

Acknowledgement

Hello.

I've been busy for quite some time, working on different projects simultaneously. But as I promised, the first part of my chemiluminescence experiment is going to be posted soon.

Without further ado, I bring to you the most amusing observation of today:

This experiment/observation was really fun to do, to be honest. So, I was sitting in the physics class and noticed something astonishing about how the professor behaved.

The goal of the experiment was to find out how to get her to acknowledge me (by saying a related word, such as 'well done').

As I answered all the questions correctly, nothing special happened.

But then I paid more attention to the conversations where she used “well done.” That was the main thing I needed for my experiment.

She used the words “well done” and acknowledged someone when they used exactly the same words/sentences she uses and answered correctly. So, I decided to give it a try, and it worked.

For the first answer, I used my own words and sentence structure. However, when I answered the second question with the type of words she usually uses, she told me the exact words I wanted: “Well done.”

Goal achieved.

[deducter]

Firstly, let me inform you that I'm going to post all the deductions I made about you (well, maybe not all of them) in our first meeting as soon as I finish my work.

Now, about the deduction I made yesterday about that glass of water; I think I can even explain it further. I noticed that you were exhausted while working in the lab, so I “casually” asked you - as you mentioned (do I really ask you favours regularly?) something to do.

But how did I draw the conclusion that you were bored and tired?

I observed your walking pace; slower and more relaxed than usual. You took your time to fill that glass with water.

That glass was brimful of water. You never fill my glass full to the brim. Conclusion? You dawdled.

Did you resist? No.

Did you ask any questions? No.

Why? You wanted to get out of the lab and come back as late as possible. Why? You didn't like the experiment? No. You didn't like the lab? No. You were in the middle of a busy day? Yes. Conclusion? Exhausted/bored/tired

Oh, you also forgot to tell them how long did it take for me to make my deductions. Go on, tell them.

hi! love your blog, it's really fun to read the daily stories of you guys. it would be wonderful if you write more details and dialogues between you and Nirvana(I really need longer posts they are wonderful)

btw i had a small question, what is Nirvana like in person? (please say all the good and bad qualities I love to watch you guys have a friendly fightt lmaoo - pardon me they are too funny to read)

Hello ! I'll certainly take your thoughts into consideration in the future.

Now, regarding Nirvana, I must admit she is an exceptionally intelligent individual. However, I must say that she is an anti-social person and a little annoying (maybe more) because she doesn't know that she shouldn't express all her deductions in any situation. In the real sense,she can understand everything from other persons with a single glance. Sometimes, she says things that I initially believe are mere fabrications but to my surprise, they were true ... (at times her words force me to get us out of that place.)

On another note, she seems to be constantly bored, even when she has a lot of unfinished tasks throughout the day.  when we're apart, she never fails to remind me of this through text messages. I'm at a loss as to how to address this issue but it has almost become a normal part of my life.

Despite her quirks, Nirvana is involved in a wide array of activities, and she excels in many of them. Whether it's playing the violin, writing poetry, or cooking, she brings a unique perspective and innovative ideas to everything she undertakes. It's these qualities that make her endeavors special and one-of-a-kind.

In summary, while she can be challenging to deal with at times, there's no denying her remarkable intelligence and her ability to make a lasting impression in almost every thing.

[deducter]

So you dont have friends?...

I have one,

There it is.

(@jasmin-k Try not be offended. Are you expecting me to apologise? Well, technically speaking, humans have skulls; conclusion, you have a skull.)

It's a lovely skull after all

[deducter]

Daily observations

Observed two girls today. Both were primary schoolers(based on their height, choice of clothing, voices, other available data)

They both had wet hair, but not wet clothes. They were carrying medium sized bags.

One of the girls was using a towel to dry her hair.

Both smelled like chlorine.

Conclusion? Just got out of the pool, They go to the same place to swim(most likely a swimming class).

At first glance(well it was more than a glance. Let's say for 20-30 seconds) they seemed like sisters to me, but then I observed them for another 20 seconds; and that was when I found out that they are "best friends", not sisters.

How, you may ask?

Well I payed close attention to their conversation. One of the girls was telling the other one, she got a phone when she was 9 years old and the other one seemed surprised and ask: oh did you really get a phone at that age? She also started talking about her family.

Conclusion? Not from the same family. Not sisters. But, they're really close freinds.

ND

[deducter]

Diabetes, an intriguing possibility indeed. However, considering the lethal dose of 200 mg and the slow poisoning method, methyl mercury poisoning seems to be the more fitting solution in this case (as I said, this case has different solutions).

The brother's motive, as you rightly pointed out, was money. It appears that financial gain was his driving force behind this heinous act.

Methyl mercury, a highly toxic substance, could easily be concealed within the chocolates. The daily consumption of these treats would slowly introduce the poison into x's system, leading to her ultimate demise.

Therefore, we can conclude that the brother, driven by his desire for monetary gain, meticulously laced the chocolates with a lethal dose of methyl mercury. This method allowed him to conceal the cause of death and appear as if it were a tragic accident.

Your reasoning was logical, indeed.

The curious case of x's sudden death

A woman (let's call her x for now) was found dead by her houseboy. The people that live in her house (which are our suspects) are:

1. Her houseboy 2. Her brother 3. Her maid 4. Her gardener

Let's dive more into the information we have on hand:

Where was she found? By the rose bushes in her garden, next to a spilled paraquat(a herbicide, highly toxic when ingested) container.

Now, let's delve into x's background. We know she suffered from obesity and depression. Her brother, being concerned about her mental health, would buy her favourite snack, kinder chocolate bars, on a daily basis. An act of kindness, or perhaps something else?

The last thing x did was inform her brother that she would take a walk in the garden.

Now, I have a task for you; Prove this was a murder. There are a few possible solutions, but only one scenario with full logical reasoning is enough.

Clue: We're dealing with an idiot, not so hard to catch murderer.

Who killed x? Why? How?

ND

[deducter]

The curious case of x's sudden death

A woman (let's call her x for now) was found dead by her houseboy. The people that live in her house (which are our suspects) are:

1. Her houseboy 2. Her brother 3. Her maid 4. Her gardener

Let's dive more into the information we have on hand:

Where was she found? By the rose bushes in her garden, next to a spilled paraquat(a herbicide, highly toxic when ingested) container.

Now, let's delve into x's background. We know she suffered from obesity and depression. Her brother, being concerned about her mental health, would buy her favourite snack, kinder chocolate bars, on a daily basis. An act of kindness, or perhaps something else?

The last thing x did was inform her brother that she would take a walk in the garden.

Now, I have a task for you; Prove this was a murder. There are a few possible solutions, but only one scenario with full logical reasoning is enough.

Clue: We're dealing with an idiot, not so hard to catch murderer.

Who killed x? Why? How?

ND

[deducter]

What are you up to today? Fancy a cuppa?

No, busy.

[deducter]

I can't deny anything at all. However, did you just call me annoying? Was that some sort of sarcasm?

Challenging to deal with?

Constantly bored?

Well done.

Oh, but you certainly missed the title you gave me a few days ago, you know which one I'm talking about: "drama queen".

I'm desperately waiting for someone to ask me about your characteristics.

It's unbelievable that people on the Internet like to read our "friendly" fights.

hi! love your blog, it's really fun to read the daily stories of you guys. it would be wonderful if you write more details and dialogues between you and Nirvana(I really need longer posts they are wonderful)

btw i had a small question, what is Nirvana like in person? (please say all the good and bad qualities I love to watch you guys have a friendly fightt lmaoo - pardon me they are too funny to read)

Hello ! I'll certainly take your thoughts into consideration in the future.

Now, regarding Nirvana, I must admit she is an exceptionally intelligent individual. However, I must say that she is an anti-social person and a little annoying (maybe more) because she doesn't know that she shouldn't express all her deductions in any situation. In the real sense,she can understand everything from other persons with a single glance. Sometimes, she says things that I initially believe are mere fabrications but to my surprise, they were true ... (at times her words force me to get us out of that place.)

On another note, she seems to be constantly bored, even when she has a lot of unfinished tasks throughout the day.  when we're apart, she never fails to remind me of this through text messages. I'm at a loss as to how to address this issue but it has almost become a normal part of my life.

Despite her quirks, Nirvana is involved in a wide array of activities, and she excels in many of them. Whether it's playing the violin, writing poetry, or cooking, she brings a unique perspective and innovative ideas to everything she undertakes. It's these qualities that make her endeavors special and one-of-a-kind.

In summary, while she can be challenging to deal with at times, there's no denying her remarkable intelligence and her ability to make a lasting impression in almost every thing.

[deducter]

The woman in the picture

Visualise this: On a man's desk at his workplace, there is a photograph encased within a metal frame. Within this photograph, we observe two children—a girl and a boy—both of whom fall within the same age range. Notably, they are both wearing identical pairs of sunglasses.

Conclusion? They're his kids.

The man is also in this picture, smiling (visible crow's feet and wrinkles).

Conclusion? A genuine smile.

His left arm is around a woman's waist. He's wearing a ring on his left hand (a wedding ring).

Conclusion? She's his wife.

They have tanned skin and visible tan lines. It seems that the photo was taken on a sunny holiday.

Conclusion? A family photo taken during a happy holiday.

But here's where it gets exciting: What if the frame is not complete?

Allow me to explain further:

A) If the woman is still in the frame, what do we know about that family? It suggests a happy family with no serious issues at the moment.

B) If the woman is torn out from the picture, there are three possible explanations:

If he's still keeping the torn-out part—somewhere private: Cheating is a possibility. However, he may also be trying to forget her but cannot detach fully.

2. If he's still keeping the torn-out part—somewhere public, like on his desk: It could have been torn out by accident, and he wants to fix it as soon as possible. So, he puts it somewhere he can see it.

Alternatively, if he cares about other people's opinions and tends to overthink situations, he might have placed it there to show others that he loves his wife, and the tearing was an accident.

3. If he doesn't have the torn-out part any more: It's over.

C) If the woman is folded behind the photo but not torn out:

If that part has been folded multiple times: He's cheating, and that person visits him often (I can also estimate other things by the number of creases).

2. However, if the folded section reveals only a single crease: They're having a serious problem, but it's not overly severe. He maintains high hopes that it will be resolved. Cheating is also possible.

ND

[deducter]

What do you do when you can’t get a single deduction? There might be many reasons why but what do you do then?

In these times, You should start doing the boring deductions first (dominant hand deduction, observing your target fully, etc), then based on your knowledge, observational power and other factors, you can get to other conclusions as well.

Short answer, Just make sure your brain thinks you know and have something already; in other words, you have to trick your brain into knowing things that are unknown to you at the moment. So start with the boring ones, you'll end up with interesting deductions.

You just have to start the engine.

[deducter]

Well...

Culturing Bacteria in a Petri dish With Agar; an experiment/observation

Today's post is quite different from the usual;

So, we had to do a project in the educational institution I study in; Which was growing bacteria in a Petri dish with agar.

Today, the results came in, but our professor insisted that we have to throw the dishes in the bin. I didn't give up there; after talking to her for a short amount of time, she accepted that I can take the dish with me to my flat, and have a look at it with microscope.

I still cannot comprehend why other students were disgusted by them; they are beyond wonderful.

Allow me to explain this astonishing journey:

What exactly is agar?

Well, agar, derived from the minute aquatic organism known as seaweed or algae, specifically the types Gelidium or Gracilaria, is a widely employed gelling agent. Found abundantly in the coastal regions of East Asia, particularly Japan and South Korea, it undergoes a process of cleaning and extraction to obtain agar in its usable forms of dry strips, flakes, or powdered consistency.

Now, when it comes to the realm of cell and bacterial culture, agar assumes a pivotal role as a solidifying and gelling medium within culture media. Its remarkable gel-forming properties allow for the creation of a three-dimensional matrix, offering an ideal environment for the growth and sustenance of cells and bacteria alike. Nutrients and metabolites find efficient transfer within this agar-based culture medium, while its structural integrity ensures the confinement of cells to designated areas.

Agar's utilization in cell and bacterial culture provides a multitude of advantages, including its ease of implementation, stability, and facilitation of cell separation procedures. The versatility of agar finds application in diverse fields, from microbiology to biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Bacteria can be found on any surface, anywhere.

I decided to pick them up from my shoe soles.

After extracting bacteria from the soles of the shoes, I cultured them in an agar-containing Petri dish. After one week, I observed bacterial and fungus growth in this environment. Here are some images I captured with my microscope:

Wonderful, aren't they?

ND

[deducter]

She is not aware of this… However, I told her earlier today about it, but she probably thought I'm joking about having another experiment in the flat's kitchen.

Culturing Bacteria in a Petri dish With Agar; an experiment/observation

Today's post is quite different from the usual;

So, we had to do a project in the educational institution I study in; Which was growing bacteria in a Petri dish with agar.

Today, the results came in, but our professor insisted that we have to throw the dishes in the bin. I didn't give up there; after talking to her for a short amount of time, she accepted that I can take the dish with me to my flat, and have a look at it with microscope.

I still cannot comprehend why other students were disgusted by them; they are beyond wonderful.

Allow me to explain this astonishing journey:

What exactly is agar?

Well, agar, derived from the minute aquatic organism known as seaweed or algae, specifically the types Gelidium or Gracilaria, is a widely employed gelling agent. Found abundantly in the coastal regions of East Asia, particularly Japan and South Korea, it undergoes a process of cleaning and extraction to obtain agar in its usable forms of dry strips, flakes, or powdered consistency.

Now, when it comes to the realm of cell and bacterial culture, agar assumes a pivotal role as a solidifying and gelling medium within culture media. Its remarkable gel-forming properties allow for the creation of a three-dimensional matrix, offering an ideal environment for the growth and sustenance of cells and bacteria alike. Nutrients and metabolites find efficient transfer within this agar-based culture medium, while its structural integrity ensures the confinement of cells to designated areas.

Agar's utilization in cell and bacterial culture provides a multitude of advantages, including its ease of implementation, stability, and facilitation of cell separation procedures. The versatility of agar finds application in diverse fields, from microbiology to biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Bacteria can be found on any surface, anywhere.

I decided to pick them up from my shoe soles.

After extracting bacteria from the soles of the shoes, I cultured them in an agar-containing Petri dish. After one week, I observed bacterial and fungus growth in this environment. Here are some images I captured with my microscope:

Wonderful, aren't they?

ND

[deducter]

Culturing Bacteria in a Petri dish With Agar; an experiment/observation

Today's post is quite different from the usual;

So, we had to do a project in the educational institution I study in; Which was growing bacteria in a Petri dish with agar.

Today, the results came in, but our professor insisted that we have to throw the dishes in the bin. I didn't give up there; after talking to her for a short amount of time, she accepted that I can take the dish with me to my flat, and have a look at it with microscope.

I still cannot comprehend why other students were disgusted by them; they are beyond wonderful.

Allow me to explain this astonishing journey:

What exactly is agar?

Well, agar, derived from the minute aquatic organism known as seaweed or algae, specifically the types Gelidium or Gracilaria, is a widely employed gelling agent. Found abundantly in the coastal regions of East Asia, particularly Japan and South Korea, it undergoes a process of cleaning and extraction to obtain agar in its usable forms of dry strips, flakes, or powdered consistency.

Now, when it comes to the realm of cell and bacterial culture, agar assumes a pivotal role as a solidifying and gelling medium within culture media. Its remarkable gel-forming properties allow for the creation of a three-dimensional matrix, offering an ideal environment for the growth and sustenance of cells and bacteria alike. Nutrients and metabolites find efficient transfer within this agar-based culture medium, while its structural integrity ensures the confinement of cells to designated areas.

Agar's utilization in cell and bacterial culture provides a multitude of advantages, including its ease of implementation, stability, and facilitation of cell separation procedures. The versatility of agar finds application in diverse fields, from microbiology to biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Bacteria can be found on any surface, anywhere.

I decided to pick them up from my shoe soles.

After extracting bacteria from the soles of the shoes, I cultured them in an agar-containing Petri dish. After one week, I observed bacterial and fungus growth in this environment. Here are some images I captured with my microscope:

Wonderful, aren't they?

ND

[deducter]

Well, I don't see a reason why not be bored for more than half of the day! There's not even one interesting case to solve. Everything's dull.

It's all a lie.

[deducter]

Can you say more about how did you measure attention? Do you measure by when do they look away, switch subject, forget what they were doing or what is it?

Note: I am fully aware that attention is a complex thing to measure “just by observing”, and varies in each individual. However, with these methods, I have been able to significantly reduce errors and measure the attention of each person based on the data I have about them (my observations/ deductions).

So, When it comes to measuring attention, I rely on a combination of methods and factors. One key aspect was observing patterns of behaviour and, of course, an individual's body language. I paid close attention to when the individual looked away, shifted their focus, or displayed signs of distraction. These cues often indicate a loss of attention or a shift in interest.

Besides, I keenly observed verbal and non-verbal cues during conversations. If someone switched the subject abruptly or showed signs of forgetting what they were saying or doing, it was indicative of a lapse in attention.

I also used questioning techniques for individuals who felt more comfortable with me. It is safe to say that one of the most effective techniques for assessing people's attention span is through observational questioning during a conversation.

ND