While commenting on a post, I had this random thought.

Normally, verbal conversations are one-tracked. That is, the participants of a verbal conversation can only engage in one topic at a time, and usually there is a point when there distinct change in topic. I think that this is the case because we cannot listen to others speak while we ourselves are speaking. However, in MSN conversations, multiple topics can be engaged simultaneously, because it doesn't require listening or speaking.

But have you wondered, do deaf/mute people have single topic conversations?

I mean, just because you can't listen and talk at the same time doesn't necessarily mean that you can't watch and gesture at the same time. If that is the case, wouldn't deaf/mute people be more adept at multi-topic convos on MSN?

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Another random thought:

In evolutionary biology, traits of beauty are linked with traits that demonstrate health, youth, and in turn fertility. There has been research done on beautiful faces, and by geometrical studies, it has been shown that if certain ratios can be made to obey the golden ratio, the face would be perceived as beautiful. With this model, cosmetic surgery would have a guide as to what modifications would make a person look better.

Now, what about beautiful voices? Since beautiful voices are linked to young-sounding voices, it makes some sense in terms of evolutionary biology. Now, I'm sure someone would have done fourier analysis on beautiful voices before. Are there particular physical properties of beautiful voices that separate them from not-so-beautiful voices? Can voices be modified to sound better?

If there are people who do cosmetic surgery to please their partner, would there be people who would consider voice modification to please their blind partner?

If both beautiful voices and faces are indications of health, youth, and fertility, why is it that not all people with beautiful voices have beautiful faces? (e.g, Ou de yang)

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CTW did a 16km route march along East Coast Park. Being the wayang kias we were, we sang extra loud when there were people watching. When a few girls walked past from our left side, Cpt Daniel had to tell us, "Oei, pandan ke hadapan[or how something like that]! (meaning 'face front')".

I told my mother about this, then she said that when she was younger (about 16+) and working near taman jurong, the marching army boys caught her attention, and she watched with admiration as the guys marched past, filled with gusto and spirit as they sang and cheered in unison.

No, really.

"Our higher-ups are very proud of this new equipment which they have procured. In actual fact, it sucks. It sucks so much that we only use it when we have no better alternative."
"Why do you say it sucks?"
"I'm sorry, that's classified."

I recommend you play Fantastic contraption.